Cape Town's water declared safe

2009-01-12 12:23

Nthambeleni Gabara

Cape Town - The City of Cape Town's water is healthy and safe for human consumption, says the city's Director of Water and Sanitation, Lungile Dhlamini.

According to a report by government news agency, BuaNews, Dhlamini said water originating in the Theewaterskloof Dam and being distributed to many suburbs in the city might currently have a slight taste and odour, but is entirely safe to drink.

"The cause of the taste is algae that multiplies in the dams during the summer due to the higher temperatures and has recurred sporadically for a number of years.

"Further treatment of the water with activated carbon alleviates the taste, but does not eliminate it entirely. The water, however, is perfectly safe and fit for human consumption.

"The algae growth is seasonal and normally dissipates after four to five weeks," Dhlamini explained.

The water from the dam is treated at the Blackheath and Faure Water Treatment Plants, which are currently supplying the Helderberg area in the east, across the Khayelitsha and Cape Flats areas, through to Muizenberg in the west.

Dhlamini said although the algae are removed in the treatment process, the taste and odour; described as being of a musty or medicinal nature, remain.

"Scientific test results of the geosmin (which is the substance imparting the taste), revealed 12 nanograms per litre and the dosage of powder activated carbon has been increased by 50% from 5 mg/l to 10 mg/l to further alleviate the taste levels," he said.

- News24