WaterCAN, a network of civilian science activists, has revealed concerning findings indicating that 11 municipalities across six provinces in South Africa are persistently failing E. coli contamination tests of their water supply.
As a result, these municipalities are urged to issue notices to residents to boil water, highlighting potential health risks associated with their water supplies. Among the identified municipalities is the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality (TCLM).
According to WaterCAN, the persistent presence of E. coli indicates ongoing challenges in maintaining safe drinking water standards, raising concerns about public health and the adequacy of water treatment processes.
E. coli bacteria can cause severe gastrointestinal illness if ingested, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
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The presence of E. coli in drinking water is a clear indication of potential contamination from faecal matter, which poses significant health risks to residents.
WaterCAN said its report highlights the need for immediate action by local authorities to improve water treatment protocols and ensure compliance with national water quality regulations. The organisation has called for enhanced monitoring and stricter enforcement measures to prevent further instances of contamination.
WaterCAN, a non-government organisation, conducts annual tests on water quality. The exact result of the E. coli test level in TCLM’s water, however, was not released.
The DA councillor in the municipality, Spiros Couvaras, said the party is aware of the contamination of river water into which sewage leaks, resulting in positive E. coli test results.
“We do ask residents to please be alert and rather take precaution when it comes to consuming water. The DA also calls upon residents to report any water-related issues to see how and if we can assist the TCLM in correcting the issue.”
WaterCAN has urged residents in affected municipalities to use boiled or bottled water for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth until further notice. Vulnerable individuals, including pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems, are urged to take extra precautions.
As the situation develops, the organisation said it and the local authorities will continue to provide updates and guidance to residents. The organisation says the priority remains to ensure access to safe drinking water and to mitigate the risks associated with E. coli contamination in affected communities.
The TCLM responded to the findings of WaterCAN and said its water service provider has recently conducted water tests, which did indeed detect the presence of E. coli. “This is especially true in the northern areas of TCLM. The detection was made exclusively in boreholes that have been cleared before, but could indicate that this is possibly a new contamination.
“The public has been made aware of the situation through the office of the unit manager in the northern areas. Certain measures also have been taken in the form of increasing chemical disinfectants in other sources that converge with the affected boreholes,” the TCLM’s spokesperson, Themba Sibiya.
TCLM did not respond to queries concerning river or household water tests.
