Strandfontein residents have been up in arms after discovering their tap water has been contaminated by leaking sewage.
Residents were warned on Thursday to stop drinking tap water while the City of Cape Town’s Water and Waste Reticulation maintenance crew flushed out the water supply main via fire hydrants.
Several water trucks were dispatched to the area to provide fresh water to residents.
On Sunday, the City issued a statement to say water quality has been restored and is fit for consumption, but the Strandfontein Ratepayers and Residents Association say they want answers.
Chairman Mario Oostendurp says they’ve been complaining about the smelly water for months to DA ward Councillor Elton Jansen.
“I know this contamination stems from a botched job at the Strandfontein sports complex but now everyone wants to shift the blame,” Oostendurp says.
“Four people, one a pregnant woman, had to be rushed to hospital and I know of at least 15 people that got sick.”
He says the association will now have the contaminated water tested privately: “We want to know the level of contamination.”
But Jansen says he was not aware of previous complaints and when people alerted him to the problem last Wednesday, he acted immediately.
“There were many burst pipes during the fibre installation and that could be the reason for the colour of the water at the time,” Jansen said.
“Health inspectors took samples for testing. There is a current investigation to determine who is responsible for the
contamination.”
The City urged Strandfontein residents to flush their geysers and filters linked to their taps, as there may still be residual
contaminants in the plumbing systems.
“We ask that residents allow water to run into containers for reuse once it has cooled, and to clean tap aerators and shower roses with a mild detergent.”