By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister of Water and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu has sent technical teams to work with the City of Tshwane and the health department in response to the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria.
The latest tests show that the drinking water quality from the Temba water treatment works does not meet minimum drinking water quality, the water and sanitation department said in a statement.
The water quality challenges are therefore, in central Hammanskraal, from water supplied by the city.”
The city said the results from sampling testing taken from multiple sites around Temba and Hammanskraal to trace the outbreak indicated that “zero cholera” was detected from the piped water supply.
“Multiple reservoirs, fire hydrants, primary schools, clinics and other locations that receive water from the Temba water treatment plant were tested,” it said. “All of these tests have conclusively indicated that there are no microbiological contaminants that point to E Coli or faecal coliforms that can be linked to the cholera outbreak.”
The tests came after nearly 100 people visited hospitals and clinics since Monday last week showing cholera symptoms, including diarrhoea, stomach cramps and nausea.
To date, over 50 people have been admitted to the hospital seeking medical assistance.
Deputy Minister for Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo confirmed that 15 people have died due to a cholera outbreak.
The area has had water contamination issues for some 16 years.
Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba says multiple reservoirs, fire hydrants, primary schools, clinics and other locations that receive water from the Temba Water Treatment Plant were tested.
“This means that the water that is being distributed via the city’s bulk water distribution network in the area does not have cholera present in it. This does not make this water safe to drink as it is treated heavily with chlorine.
“Various points where water tankers draw their supply have also been tested,” says Bokaba.
He adds that the city has widened the scope of its testing and has been interviewing various patients to assist in tracing the source of the contamination.
“We will continue to keep the affected residents updated on further test results as and when they become available.”
The city’s Outbreak Response Teams are also on the ground conducting surveillance monitoring, sampling and field investigations.
“The city is eagerly awaiting the confirmatory test results from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases to determine the actual source of contamination,” says Bokaba.
City of Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink said if the source of the deadly cholera outbreak in the metro cannot be found, they will not be able to contain it, with fears that cases may surge across Gauteng.
Brink said that the source of the disease had not been identified in Temba or Hammanskraal.
“The source of the cholera has not yet been detected. A few moments ago, the City of Tshwane received sampling test results from various water sources in the Temba area and all of those results have come back negative. That has prompted us to look further. Until we’ve actually found the source of the cholera, we can’t contain it and if we now stop looking for it because we presume that it’s Rooiwal, we might in fact cause a bigger crisis.”
Mchunu said that they will investigate the causes behind water problems in Hammanskraal.
“That team will be in a position to do a follow-up with water problems in this area. While the investigation is continuing, there will be an immediate task of provision of water for the communities affected,” he said.
The minister said the Tshwane metro assured the delegation there were sufficient water trucks to distribute water to affected communities.
“We have also agreed that we will run some tests with a reputable institution. We will deal with issues of engagements with our communities.”