Selma Kok from the Vaal Action Group, which monitors pollution in the Vaal Dam, said the problem had been ongoing for years.
“Our water is brown. This means we can’t do much with it, people are basically without water. The quality of water is not good at all,” said Kok.
She attributed the problem to the Vaal Dam.
“The problem is that the dam levels are low and they can’t afford to drain anything.
“When people wash their clothes, they come out dirtier than before. There is no healthy water to drink,” she said.
Times Live reports that a resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “We have been promised better water but nothing changes. We don’t have a choice but to drink it and use it on a daily basis. Even though it’s not safe, we drink it. We don’t wear white clothes anymore because how will we wash it?” he asked.
Councillor Brunhilde Rossouw laid charges in terms of National Water Act at the Winburg police station on Thursday.
Rossouw said the act criminalised the unlawful and intentional or negligent act or omission which polluted or was likely to pollute a water resource and detrimentally affected a water resource.
“Since December 28, 2019, the drinking water provided to the community of Winburg is green. The DA has investigated and discovered that the local dams, which feed the community’s water purification plant, is so contaminated with sewage from the town that no amount of chemicals can clean it.
“The municipality is still continuing to provide the community with this water although they issued a warning that such water should not be consumed,” said Rossouw.
She added the DA was concerned the water was being used for bathing as well as washing of dishes and clothes, which posed a severe health and safety risk for the community.
Rossouw promised the DA would also be writing to the MEC for CoGTA, and the relevant ministers of the national government to seek urgent intervention.
Police spokesperson Colonel Thandi Mbambo confirmed an enquiry docket under the National Water Act 36(1)(i) had been registered for further investigation
