WaterCAN, a civil-society initiative advocating for safe and equitable water in South Africa, has raised urgent concerns about tap-water safety in Tulbagh, calling on the Witzenberg Municipality to act without delay.
Dr Ferrial Adam, executive director of WaterCAN, recently stated that Tulbagh residents had contacted the organisation after noticing changes in water quality and experiencing possible health effects. In response, it supported community-led sampling and conducted several tests using its iLab testing kit, which is routinely applied as a preliminary indicator of drinking-water safety.
According to Adam the results showed “three tap-water samples [had] tested positive for total coliform bacteria, signaling potential contamination and rendering the water unsafe for consumption without treatment.
“When test results show the presence of coliform bacteria it is a clear red flag. Safe drinking water is a constitutional right and immediate precautionary measures are necessary to protect public health.”
WaterCAN is calling on the municipality to:
- Issue a public boil-water notice;
- Conduct accredited laboratory testing to confirm bacterial contamination and determine its extent;
- Implement and communicate corrective measures urgently to resolve the source of contamination;
- Make test results publicly available; and
- Provide water tankers or alternative supply – as a temporary measure – to ensure residents have access to safe drinking water.
Adam told Standard Breederiver Gazette she had communicated with the Witzenberg Municipality regarding the water quality, the latter saying its results indicated the water was safe for drinking.
WaterCAN said it would continue monitoring the situation and working with residents to advocate for urgent measures and long-term solutions.
Following WaterCAN’s warning the Witzenberg Municipality has reiterated this statement in its communication with the newspaper and assured residents that water quality in Tulbagh remains under close observation.
Rowena Hendricks, marketing and communications manager of Witzenberg Municipality, said its technical team “continues to closely monitor the water quality in Tulbagh.”
She said water samples collected throughout last week were tested and results came back clear.
As an added precaution, Hendricks said, further independent water quality testing commenced again from 8 December.
Adam, however said that the water was still “brown, stinky and dirty” and the drinking water the organisation tested in five different streets in Tulbagh all tested positive for coliform bacteria.
She added WaterCAN had been made aware of the situation two weeks before by concerned community members.
Residents were urged by the municipality to report any concerns related to low water quality to the municipality’s 24-hour Control Room on 023 492 0181/2, or via WhatsApp on 081 896 5480.
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