While numerous residents in Bloemfontein have been complaining about brown water coming from their taps, the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality has stated that the matter is being addressed and that there is no cause for concern as the water can be consumed.
In an email responding to Bloemfontein Courant’s questions, spokesperson for the municipality, Qondile Khedama, said, “Just a few areas in the city are encountering the problem with water that is brown. This is largely due to the cleaning process but the water is safe for consumption and is being cleared.”
Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance Councillor in Mangaung and water expert, Rossouw Botes, has also confirmed that the water is safe to drink and the brown colour of the water is caused by the low reservoir levels, the heat and a lack of oxygen.
“…there is no real risk and the water is still good to drink and use…”
– ROSSOUW BOTES
“Most of the time, this problem of brown water occurs in the months of December, January and February when the reservoir has a limited supply of water and the oxygen in the water is also very low because of no new or fresh water coming in, but there is no real risk and the water is still good to drink and use,” Botes said.
Botes added it is understandable that people would think that because the water is brown there is something wrong with it, however, he said it is an annual problem and often the problem is only solved when the reservoir levels improve as it rains.
“Often, there will also be suburbs or areas in the city that are not at all affected by the low reservoir levels because they might be supplied by another reservoir of which the water level is still relatively high but all water in the city, whether brown or clear, is safe,” Botes said.
Speaking further, Botes said, “There have been no reported cases of health-related incidents to this and I understand that also, with Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi’s recent announcement on Listeriosis people will go into a panic but I assure you that we test the water daily and we have found no traces of the disease in our water.”
He further requested all residents of the Metro to hold tight until after February, as the heat levels are to go down and as more rain can be expected in that time.
Pulane Choane
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