Welkom is one of seven locations in the Free State that had its water test positive for cholera.
The civil rights organisation AfriForum carried out several water tests in the Vaal River last month, after earlier tests in this river tested positive for cholera. Water samples were taken from towns along the Vaal River.
The positive results are from Thabong where the Mostert Canal begins and runs into a furrow that empties into the Witpan.
Indicator tests were also carried out in drinking water to confirm whether the water is safe for human consumption.
The results indicate that E.coli is present in the majority of the water samples taken in the river system.
“The focus of these tests was twofold. Firstly, we wanted to confirm whether the drinking water of the towns located along the Vaal River is safe for human consumption and secondly, we had to determine whether there is cholera in the river,” says Lambert de Klerk, head of Environmental Affairs at AfriForum.
The results are even more worrying because many South Africans use water from the Vaal River on a daily basis, therefore it needs to be better monitored.
“The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will have to actively intervene and AfriForum is prepared to help. When looking at the interim reports issued by the DWS, it is clear that the directives issued are not being obeyed. It seems that the DWS is more bark than bite and it is time for them to start biting again,” adds De Klerk.
“However, there is one issue in terms of the results that does not make sense. Cholera was not picked up at one point in the river, but further downstream the water did test positive for cholera. AfriForum is currently talking to experts about this to determine the reason,” concludes De Klerk.
AfriForum appeals to people who suspect their water is not suitable for human consumption, to follow the necessary safety measures such as boiling it before use.
