AfriForum is concerned about every drop
The civil rights organisation annually launches a green and blue drop project where the quality of nearly 10 million people’s drinking (blue drop) and sewage (green drop) water is tested
AfriForum has been busy taking water samples around eMalahleni last week.
The civil rights organisation annually launches a green and blue drop project where the quality of nearly 10 million people’s drinking (blue drop) and sewage (green drop) water is tested.
eMalahleni’s local AfriForum branch went into the field last week and tested household water as well as outlets at sewerage plants.
On June 10 Mr Alfred Friess, chairman of AfriForum invited the local municipality to accompany them when the tests are done.
Needless to say, up to date there has been no response from the municipality.
This however did not stop Friess in taking the samples required for the tests.
Emalahleni Local Municipality does not have a good record when it comes to these water tests.
In 2014 AfriForum found 11 organic carbons in drinking water. In 2016 Faecal coliforms and E. coli were found, therefore the civil rights organisation concluded that the municipality does not meet the SANS: 214 national standards.
According to these standards there may not be any E. coli in drinking water.
AfriForum warned the communities not to drink the water, while the affected municipalities received notice to rectify the quality of their water.
Follow-up monsters indicated that Emalahleni complied and the water was tested again and given the thumbs up.
For the Green drop analysis AfriForum tests sewage treatment works. South Africa’s national water quality standards allow for 1 000 units E. coli per 100 ml treated sewage.
The 2016 results show 4 000 units E. coli in a sewerage sample taken at a local sewage treatment works.
As soon as the latest tests are made public, the results will be published.
