No cholera in our drinking water
Rand Water has responded to unfounded rumours that our drinking water might be contaminated.
Earlier today several residents shared a voice note on social media by a woman who they claim works for the municipality.
According to the woman, who says she stays in Andries Street in Carletonville, the health department says that Vaal Dam water has been tested positive for cholera. All tap water in our area must be boiled and can only be used for washing.
This message caused many residents to ask for further confirmation. A ward councillor from Carletonville, Carl Sebastian Steenekamp, contacted Rand Water, and determined that the rumour is false.
“There are media reports that indicate that cholera was detected downstream of Rand Water’s abstraction points, i.e., kms away. We wish to inform our customers that even if Cholera were to be detected around our catchments, Rand Water uses chlorine as a disinfectant which is able to deal with cholera the same way as it does ecoli. So far, there is no risk of infections related to tap water within Rand Water areas of supply,” Rand Water responded.
A communication official of the department of health in our area also confirmed that no cases have been reported.
As a result of the cholera scare at Hammanskraal and in the Parys area, the Herald asked the Merafong City Local Municipality over the precautions they take to ensure of the safety of the drinking water they supply to customers.
“The municipality does water tests on network points, and the reservoirs are cleaned every second year,” the municipal spokesperson said about the safety compliance of the municipal water network.
