THERE was never any doubt the drought in the region would bring secondary impacts, other than the obvious shortage of water for domestic and industrial consumption.
Water would naturally become more expensive, and would have to be transported to the worst affected areas at great cost.
Reduction in consumption would become a priority, including the imposing of penalties for non-compliance.
Resources and funding would have to be redirected from other budgets to pay for emergency measures.
But it’s not just about the availability and quantity of water, it also impacts on the quality of this precious commodity.
Water has a huge and obvious part to play in matters pertaining to health.
We drink it, bathe in it and cook foods with it.
It goes without saying water should be safe for human consumption.
And so when this week taps that were opened issued forth vile, foul tasting, malodorous liquid, the community was annoyed, angry and afraid.
Facing a barrage of complaints, authorities rushed to establish the cause, identify rectifying measures and give reassurance there was no major health risk.
It’s at times like this they must be totally transparent, especially bearing in mind misinformation travels like wildfire in today’s communication environment.
Having deduced excess manganese at the water source was the cause of the contamination – apparently from natural causes rather than man-made pollution – they were quick to point out that only over a long term would this have human health impacts.
Such statements must be cautiously pronounced. No false assurances must be given and an independent source should verify this.
The fact residents were told not to drink the water is a bold pronouncement of high risk, surely?
And simply masking the problem of odour and taste by adding massive doses of chlorine to fight possible bacteriological impacts will not suffice.
What is the worst possible scenario? Spell it out!
One must assume, as dam and lake levels continue to drop, impurities will be ever more concentrated.
As timelines on the capacity upgrades of the Tugela Transfer Scheme and the pipe transferring water from the Mhlathuze River to Lake Nsezi lengthen, are we literally heading into more dangerous waters?
There is always one silver lining on a dark cloud.
Sellers of bottled water are making a killing right now.
Rather them than the taps.
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