Metro says water is safe for consumption

The Ekurhuleni metro’s spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, has rubbished statements being circulated on social media platforms that tap water is contaminated with cholera-causing bacterium.

According to Dlamini, the thread warning residents not to consume municipally supplied water surfaced in recent weeks following the positive identification of three cholera cases within the metro.

This comes after the death of a 24-year-old man from Emandleni in Wattville who was recorded as the first confirmed cholera patient to die of the disease in the country.

In the days that followed the death, a 19-year-old woman, from the same area, was identified by the outbreak response team during contact tracing and social mobilisation activities.

“Following the confirmation of these cases, our environmental health practitioners conducted emergency tests of the city’s tap water to determine if this could have been the cause of the infections,” said Dlamini

“The results have come back negative, confirming that the water is safe to drink.”

He continued by saying that it is of critical importance to note that the metro continuously sample and analyse its tap water at various sampling points, to confirm compliance with the South African National Standard for Drinking Water (SANS 241).

“Sampling points range from direct connections, taps, reservoirs, distribution network points, clinics, water tanker trucks and end of the network user points,” he said.

“Sampling intervals range from daily, weekly, and monthly whereby the metro is able to confirm that the water is clean and safe for general use as well as to drink.

“This is done to ensure that the quality of the water supplied to our communities is of high quality and in line with national standards.”

He further states that if any member of the public suspects that the quality of the water may be compromised, complaints must be directed to the nearest customer care centre for intervention.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria.

The community is urged to immediately consult their nearest health care facility if they experience the following symptoms:

• Profuse watery diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Thirst
• Leg cramps
• Restlessness or irritability
Cholera can be prevented by exercising the following precautions:
• When cooking or drinking, washing your fruits and vegetables, use safe water from the municipal tap or bottled water.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water especially after using the toilet and before touching food.
• Where no safe water is not accessible, use alcohol base hand sanitizer.
• Use the toilet and not defecate in the open; and clean up surfaces with safe water.

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