It is unacceptable that the ANC-headed coalition government in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Council (NMBM) kept quiet about the fact that the Metro's drinking water is contaminated with E. coli, despite having been aware of it for two weeks, and then reassured residents that the water is safe for human consumption when complaints about murky tap water were received.
The death of a child in Uitenhage last week after he had suffered complications due to an E. coli infection could possibly have been prevented if the Metro had played open cards with residents from the outset.
A second child is currently being treated in the intensive care unit in the Dora Nginza Hospital in Port Elizabeth.
Tests that were conducted two weeks ago to determine the water quality indicated a high level of E. coli, which is caused by human and / or animal excrement. It is unsafe for human consumption, but the Metro Council ascribed the pollution to the current drought and low water levels in dams.
That argument holds no water, though, seeing as the levels of the six dams that supply water to the Metro have fallen to below the current 17,11% in the past, but no discolouration, bacteria or any traces of E. coli were found in the water then.
It has, meanwhile, come to light that tests conducted by an independent water expert found that there is no chlorine in the water. That means the officials managing the water treatment plant are not correctly chlorinating the water.
The FF Plus cautions Metro residents not to drink tap water unless it has been boiled first.
Adding bleach to make the water potable, as was suggested by the Mayor, Eugene Johnson, is dangerous and could result in serious side-effects, including stomachache, diarrhoea and even death if the guidelines are not strictly adhered to (2 drops per 250ml).
The FF Plus finds it absolutely unacceptable that residents must go to such extremes to have access to potable water, which is a basic constitutional right.
This is a direct result of the sheer incompetence of the ANC-headed coalition government governing the Metro.
The FF Plus will put pressure on the Metro to publish the water quality test results on a weekly basis from now on, and to immediately fix the water quality to prevent any more diseases and further loss of life.
Contact details: 072 582 3461
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