Welkom’s water is safe – Lejweleputswa The information surrounding the “cholera outbreak” in Matjhabeng is disturbing and is causing an unnecessary panic in the community.
So says Khaya Mqeke, communications manager for the Lejweleputswa District Municipality. He says the Lejweleputswa district municipal health service is aware of the information that is making rounds on social media regarding the possible detection of cholera in Matjhabeng.
“We conduct regular (monthly) drinking water tests with a reputable laboratory, and have not detected any cholera. We also have access to the Notifiable Medical Conditions (NMC) Reporting app that sends cases out in real time. We have not received any cases of cholera in the district as yet,” says Mqeke.
The drinking water is effectively treated at the Balkfontein Bloem Water plant. The department is obligated to inform the community in an event that the water is not safe for consumption. While the water is in the system, it is constantly being boosted with chlorine to kill micro-organisms. Once removed from the system, the chlorine starts to evaporate.
“This manual or domestic chlorination is just as effective as the industrial chlorination. Bleach is a chemical, therefore, an overdose may be detrimental to human health. Boiling the water for two minutes before use is also effective in destroying microbes,” says Mqeke.
- On Thursday (06/07), social media platforms were flooded with the news that cholera had been detected in two water sources around Welkom.
