The eThekwini Municipality has refuted claims that it provides poor quality water to residents.
The recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including electricity and water. Residents in most parts of eThekwini have been without running water and have been forced to rely on water tankers dispatched by the municipality, which occasionally reaches some.
ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY SAYS THEIR WATER IS OF GOOD QUALITY
The municipality expressed concern about disinformation spread on social media concerning the City’s supposed poor water quality.
“Both EThekwini and Umgeni Water indicate that the City’s water continues to be of good quality and is safe to consume.”
“The bulk drinking water is tested daily by Umgeni Water specialists and weekly by eThekwini Municipality using recognized 17025 laboratories accredited by the International standard Organisation.”
Water at distribution locations is also tested every two weeks, according to the South African National Standard 241 for drinking water regulations, according to EThekwini.
The filling locations from which the water tankers receive water are also checked on a regular basis.
“In light of recent events in the City, more water tankers have been inspected to guarantee that the water delivered to communities is of high quality.”
Residents were also urged not to drink or use water from infrastructure that had been destroyed. Many desperate people of the community have been caught on camera doing so in viral videos.
Residents of Isipingo Hill allegedly held up a water tanker at gunpoint this week, ordering the driver to deliver to certain locations.
Armed men allegedly jumped the line and went directly to the front, according to eye witnesses who were in the queue. They told the driver to deliver to a specified location once they arrived.