15 November 2007
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has confirmed that results from
tests conducted on water samples taken from Delmas have proven negative for
microbiological contamination. Indicator organisms were tested for as
prescribed by the South African National Standard (SANS 241:2006) and the
results proved negative for the presence of any diarrhoea-causing contaminants.
These analyses were performed by at least five different laboratories. Based on
the results presented, the Delmas tap water can be declared safe for human
consumption.
The department's Drinking Water Quality Regulation Unit, joined forces with
the University of Johannesburg in conducting the Delmas investigation following
the outbreak of diarrhoea late last month, October 2007. A number of analytical
tests were conducted to determine whether the water that is currently being
reticulated is safe, as well as to establish whether a link exists between the
increase in cases of diarrhoea and drinking water.
During the investigation it was established that the resource water in one
of the three borehole fields, the A-field borehole, during late September
proved to be contaminated and could have been the trigger for the initial
increase in the number of cases of diarrhoea. Chlorination was required to
deactivate contaminants before being reticulated and consumed, which was
immediately done and this process is continuing with support from my
Department. However, despite these measures and the notice to the Delmas
community to boil their water an unusually high number of cases of diarrhoea
have continued to be reported.
What this points to is there are other factors causing the diarrhoea, and a
joint action team has been established to investigate what the other causes
could be as they clearly go beyond water quality. Tests have been done on food
products and we are awaiting the results.
Arising from the 2005 outbreak of diarrhoea and the recommendations made,
the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry is continuing with its support of
the Delmas Municipality to improve the water quality and ensure that the water
is safe to drink.
These support measure include:
1. connection of the C field directly to the Delmas Reservoir, at a cost of
R1,5 million
2. approved the business plans for the construction of a Water Purification
Plant
3. support for the Section 78 assessment at a cost of R200 000
4. development of a Ground Water Management Plan at a cost of R212 000
5. more recently we have been assisting in the payments (of R500 000) for the
service provider (ERWAT) who are providing support in the management of the
sewage works and developing the necessary municipal bi-laws
6. today we have confirmed that we will be providing a further R750 000 towards
a team of engineers that will be starting on Monday. These engineers will be
ensuring that there is strong management over the water quality and sanitation
in the area, and will bring additional expertise to the Municipality
7. items that are not costed include the extensive support that the experts
from my department have been providing, including the sampling and testing, as
well as, assisting with the investigations of the causes of the diarrhoea. We
have six staff members deployed to this area as well as the resource of the
Institute for Water Quality Studies unit
8. the costs of the study by the University of Johannesburg to gather
intelligence on a range of factors that could be linked to the causes of the
diarrhoea, will be borne by my Department at a cost of R120 000
Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
15 November 2007
