Welkom’s drinking water now blood water

Bloody water from an abattoir as well as raw sewage is contaminating the drinking water of Welkom in the Free State.

Johan Terblanche, Chairman of the AfriForum Welkom branch, says legislation stipulates that the water should flow to the Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) for purification, but as the WWTW is out of order, the Matjhabeng Local Municipality broke open a sewage manhole to relay the water. What is of great concern is that the raw sewage and blood water are flowing into the pans from which Welkom’s drinking water is sourced.

AfriForum demands immediate action by the Department of Water and Sanitation as well as the Municipality, and will institute legal action if the authorities do not implement solutions promptly.

“This water contamination can be stopped by the Municipality, but they’re not lifting a finger. The sewage plant does not get maintained, and a sewage plant is the one thing that must work within a municipal area for the health of residents. It’s not negotiable. Human rights are directly violated by the carelessness of the Municipality,” says Johann Hattingh, Provincial Coordinator for AfriForum in the Western Free State.

“At two other places in the Western Free State raw sewage is also flowing into full pans, which then overflows onto farmers’ cultivated fields. Cries for help to the Municipality are merely ignored. AfriForum will try with all its might to solve all three these situations. It may not continue.”

Issued by Johann Hattingh, AfriForum Provincial Coordinator: Western Free State, 19 November 2015

Update:

URGENT CORRECTION

Welkom’s drinking water is clean and safe for use

Welkom’s drinking water is clean, safe for use and meets all health standards.  AfriForum has confirmed this fact with Sedibeng Water.

This statement is issued to amend a statement issued yesterday by AfriForum re water pollution in the vicinity.

Underground water sources downstream from Witpan, Welkom, may possibly be polluted by blood originating from the abattoir andsewage not treated in accordance with standards by Witpan’s sewage plant.  AfriForum would like to warn farmers about this possibilityof contaminated water.

In case of any queries, please contact Johann Hattingh at 072 380 2949.

Statement issued by Johann Hattingh, Provincial coordinator: Western Free State AfriForum, 20 November 2015