01-08-2025
After week-long shutdown deems eMalahleni water safe to drink
Following the week-long maintenance water shutdown, the municipality stated that tap water in eMalahleni is safe to drink.
Various parameters were tested. These include:
– Microbiological contaminants: E. coli, Total Coliforms
– Physical parameters: pH, turbidity
– Chemical parameters: Chlorine levels, heavy metals like manganese
'All test results were within acceptable limits,' was the word from the municipal media desk.
The entity indicated that tests were conducted at the Witbank plant, Command Reservoir Point D, Point A, and Point B reservoirs.
The municipality said this was not a one-time exercise, but ensured water quality monitoring will continue.
While most of the city had water flowing back into taps over the weekend, some areas were still bone-dry.
Pastor Deon Scheepers, who lives in Del Judor and heads a church in Reyno Ridge, posted some interesting facts about the water outage.
Out of the past 31 days, Scheepers said they have not had water for more than 13 days.
Clr Kim Fourie from Ward 33 said she is 'gatvol'. She visited the site at Point C, where the teams were replacing critical isolation valves earlier this week.
'I had previously highlighted that the valves were going to pose a problem. I was assured that the new valves would not impact pumping. This proved not to be the case,' Fourie said.
On July 30, Point C was given the green light and had sufficient water at 73%.
However, complaints of more dry taps in extensions in Reyno Ridge, Reyno Proper, extensions in Ben Fleur, Klipfontein, Witbank Ext 16, and Del Judor Ext 1, 2, and 4 streamed in.
In Ward 20, frustrations also boiled over.
Residents vented on WhatsApp groups, and Clr Maureen Scheepers last night responded that water in Libertas Street, a portion of Raadsaal Street, Ermelo Street, and Beit Street were isolated because of a pipe break in the area.
Repair works were also done at Klarinet.
WITBANK NEWS has in February invited the Executive Mayor of Emalahleni, Clr Vusi Nhlapo, for a cup of tea. The mayor did not even respond to the invitation.
The newspaper again extends an invitation to Clr Nhlapo – This time, the mayor is invited for a glass of healthy, clean tap water.
Updates on whether the mayor accepts the invitation will follow.
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