AFRIFORUM DOES OWN WATER TESTS, FINDS THAT THABA CHWEU MUNICIPALITY'S DRINKING WATER CONTAINS E. COLI

AfriForum is concerned about the health of Lydenburg residents following water test results which reported the presence of E. Coli in the town's tap water.

According to Leon de Jager, chairman of AfriForum's Lydenburg branch, sewage problems have been around for some time already, giving rise to concerns about the community's health. 'In view of the health concerns posed by the lack of service delivery by the municipality and recent sewage spillages, we had no choice but to take water samples from our homes' water supply as well as from strategic areas to assess the risk factor,' De Jager said.

AfriForum submitted the water samples to a testing laboratory with South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) accreditation for analysis. 'The E. Coli count of samples from the Sterkspruit as well as of samples taken from homes exceeded the maximum limits. The E. Coli levels are of major concern as far as human health is concerned,' De Jager said.

'Service delivery has not been up to standard and it raises concerns about whether the water purification plant is managed properly. Treatment with chlorine will help reduce the E. Coli bacteria levels, but the water samples taken indicate that the water is not being treated efficiently,' De Jager said.

AfriForum is insisting that the municipality warn the community about the health risks and provide them with proper, clean drinking water immediately. It should also produce a plan, indicating what action will be taken to resolve the problem and in which it commits itself to deadlines by which such action will be undertaken. 'If the plan is not complete, further steps will be taken against the municipality,' De Jager said.

AfriForum will keep monitoring the situation.

Statement issued by Leon de Jager, Chairperson: AfriForum Lydenburg, September 3 2012

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