Disaster looming

2003-10-22 21:33

Elise Tempelhoff

Vanderbijlpark - South Africa is facing a national disaster because millions of litres of human waste from the southern parts of Gauteng flood into the Vaal River every day.

This problem has become so bad that it poses a serious health risk for people, said Sam Tshabalala of Rand Water. The water supply to at least one million people could be compromised within the next month or two.

Tshabalala was reacting on Wednesday to a statement of Mike Muir, New National Party councillor, during an Emfuleni local authority council meeting on Tuesday.

Muir said the council had its "back to the wall" because it did not have the money to repair leaking pipes and outdated infrastructure.

Meanwhile, thousands of litres of water are lost through leaking pipes, while millions of litres of sewage flood into the Vaal River from broken pump stations.

Tshabalala said the new water company, Metsi-a-Lekoa, would be able to handle this problem if it had the necessary funds.

Council documents indicate that the company needs about R40m to start operating.

Tshabalala said the Gauteng provincial government and central government should come to the assistance of the water company to prevent millions of people from ending up without water.

At least 10 million people live in this part of the Vaal River's catchment area, which is known as the Barrage.

- Beeld