SOMERSET East residents are advised to boil their drinking water, or to add a teaspoon of unscented Jik to a 25 litre bucket of water and to leave it closed for at least three hours before consumption.
This is according to the director of community services, Mandisi Planga, who said the Blue Crane Municipality is experiencing technical problems with the quality of the water provided to the community.
“In some cases contaminated water smells or tastes different. However, many contaminants have no taste or odour,” said Planga.
“Boiling does kill most types of parasites, bacteria and viruses. Additionally, it increases concentrations of other contaminants due to the evaporation of water.
“Water contamination can occur in all water supplies and it is important to know the signs/symptoms of drinking contaminated water,” said Planga.
Some of the more commonly reported problems experienced from drinking impure water include, but are not limited to, the following waterborne diseases: gastrointestinal problems, diarrhoea, nausea, intestinal or stomach cramping or stomachaches and pains, dehydration and in serious cases, death. It is important to know that the ill effects people experience after drinking impure water may or may not present themselves immediately.
Rather be safe than sorry.
