E Cape river 'highly' toxic

2008-10-12 18:11

Johannesburg - The Eastern Cape health department on Sunday urged residents of the Mqanduli area near Mthatha not to use river water for drinking as it was highly contaminated after a sewage spill.

Spokesperson Sizwe Kuphelo said investigations into the sewage spill had revealed that the water was not suitable for drinking.

The sewage spill occurred during heavy rains last week, contaminating the river which supplies more than 12 villages in the Mqanduli area.

A team of health and sanitation experts were deployed to find what was causing the sewage to spill into the river, said Kuphelo.

No reports of illness

"Research revealed that the water was highly contaminated and not suitable for drinking. Water tanks and chloride will be supplied in the affected areas," he said.

There have been no reports of illnesses due to the spillage, but the deployment of the team was a precautionary measure.

Health professionals and municipal officials will visit the affected areas to educate residents on how to use chloride.

"Residents are advised to boil water before drinking it," said Kuphelo.

He said the department was also investigating allegations that a sewerage truck was dumping its waste in an open veld in Mqanduli.

"If these allegations are found to be true, we will have to put a stop in this act," he said.

- SAPA