Cholera scare hits residents

RESIDENTS in some parts of Tshwane fear that their water problem is another Hammanskraal cholera situation waiting to explode.

With every rainfall the water gets dirtier and now residents are forced to use dirty water for cooking and bathing.

In recent weeks, water from their taps has allegedly turned brown, forcing some people to buy water for drinking, while those without money are forced to make alterative plans because they fear that they could contract cholera.

Resident Isreal Mokone said what bothers him is that kids don't know the difference, even though they've been warned that the water is not good for drinking. 

"When they play, they end up drinking it. I'm afraid they will get sick if they keep drinking the water. I feel that my kasi has been neglected by the city of Tswana because nothing has been done and officials have not shown that they are concerned about the problem," Isreal said.

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Another resident, Thabisile Mahlangu, said she's afraid to bath because the water affects her skin, but she has no choice because there are no alternatives.

She said she was once told by community leaders that they needed to buy water tanks, but they are too expensive because most people in the area don't work.

In such cases, water tankers are often supplied by the city. 

The dirty water that comes out of the taps in some parts of Tshwane.

But Thabisile said the water tankers are not enough to supply the entire area.

Meanwhile, the City of Tshwane has confirmed that the water treatment plant in Bronkhorstspruit is currently temporarily closed because the quality of the raw water has deteriorated due to the recent heavy rains.

According to the city, the following areas are affected by this shutdown where water pressure is low, or no water is available:

The municipality said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and as soon as the quality of the raw water improves, the treatment plant will be put back into operation.

At the same time, water tankers will be sent to all the affected areas mentioned above.