No cholera detected in piped water supply - Tshwane
Tshwane says it has not detected any contaminants that can be linked to the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, north of the city.
The city conducted sampling testing of water from multiple sites around Temba and Hammanskraal on Monday.
The tests came after nearly 100 people visited hospitals and clinics since Monday last week showing cholera symptoms, including diarrhoea, stomach cramps and nausea.
To date, over 50 people have been admitted to the hospital seeking medical assistance.
Deputy Minister for Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo confirmed that 15 people have died due to a cholera outbreak.
The area has had water contamination issues for some 16 years.
Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba says multiple reservoirs, fire hydrants, primary schools, clinics and other locations that receive water from the Temba Water Treatment Plant were tested.
"This means that the water that is being distributed via the city’s bulk water distribution network in the area does not have cholera present in it. This does not make this water safe to drink as it is treated heavily with chlorine.
“Various points where water tankers draw their supply have also been tested," says Bokaba.
He adds that the city has widened the scope of its testing and has been interviewing various patients to assist in tracing the source of the contamination.
"We will continue to keep the affected residents updated on further test results as and when they become available.”
The city’s Outbreak Response Teams are also on the ground conducting surveillance monitoring, sampling and field investigations.
"The city is eagerly awaiting the confirmatory test results from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases to determine the actual source of contamination," says Bokaba.
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