Central SA
Magalies Water distances itself from cholera outbreak─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 08:57 Mon, 22 May 2023
Magalies Water has distanced itself from reports linking it to the outbreak of waterborne disease in Hammanskraal.
Twelve people have passed away as a result of a cholera outbreak in Tshwane, north of Pretoria.
SABC News reported that laboratory tests were conducted on stool samples of 19 people who went to the Jubilee District Hospital, after showing symptoms of diarrhoea, stomach cramps and nausea.
Magalies Water spokesperson, David Magae, said the entity has noted with discontent a deliberate attempt to distort information relating to a waterborne outbreak of a disease which has been reported in the Hammanskraal area, under the jurisdiction of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. He has since condemned reports that might deflect attention to the service area of Magalies, without any scientific proof.
ALSO READ: Death toll from cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal rises to 12
“It is unpalatable to indirectly cast aspersions on Magalies Water’s technical expertise and capabilities, without conclusive evidence. The bulk water supplied to Moretele remains compliant and meets the industry norms and standards. Worth noting is that Moretele Local Municipality, as Magalies Water’s bulk customer, is yet to report any health outbreaks, which are suspected to be waterborne,” said Magae.
He further explained that the entity also supplies water to Bela-Bela and Modimolle Local Municipalities. So far, there are no reports of any waterborne health outbreaks in those areas. Magae also added that Magalies Water has an accredited service laboratory which checks water quality and supplies bulk water which is compliant and conducts regular monitoring and water quality testing to ensure that it meets acceptable industry.
“As is common course, if water supplied had been found to be non-compliant after the treatment processes, any corrective measures which taken to eliminate any anomalies which would otherwise have affected sustained supply. While this would have been an inconvenience to communities, it remains a better option than distributing untreated water into the system which will be consumed and can cause waterborne diseases to communities; a step which would have been prevented and managed in line with the established standard operating procedures,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the City of Tshwane has since provided water tanks to residents, after they were advised not to drink water coming from their taps.
