The water in Nelson Mandela Bay is contaminated by bacteria after traces of E. coli — fecal matter from either animals or humans — were discovered in testing samples.
The Bay’s water supply has been declared unsafe to drink, without boiling it first.
Public health boss Sizwe Mvunelwa said water testing results showed that there were high levels of bacteria that surpassed the South African National Standards (SANS).
“What is in the water also includes E. coli, which is an indication that there is fecal matter getting into the distribution system.
“We are unsure where it comes from. It might not be coming from humans, it might be coming from animals.”
He said there was no evidence of typhoid bacteria in the water.
“This is based on testing that has been done over the past two weeks and that is why we are having a meeting so we can put together a report for the mayor [Eugene Johnson] so that she is aware of what is happening,” Mvunelwa said.
The metro on Monday night cautioned residents from drinking the water, unless it is boiled.
The drought and low dam levels have also been blamed for the “deterioration” in the water quality.
This comes as Bay residents have over the past few weeks complained about murky water flowing out of taps in some suburbs.
In response, the metro had said the water was safe to drink.
Mvunelwa said the water had been tested over the past two weeks.
“Because of the drought our water quality has constantly been deteriorating, both on the chemical side and the bacteriological side.
“The most concerning problem is that we are finding that in some areas the bacteriological results are not being corrected.
“This means there is a lot more bacteria in the water.
“We are meeting with our engineering and environmental health sub-directorate to work out a plan and we will advise the community accordingly.
“It is more a structural issue as well as due to the dam levels.
“We want to be certain what exactly is causing it,” Mvunelwa said.
Infrastructure portfolio head Stag Mitchell could not answer questions as he was yet to meet officials to be briefed on the issue.
This is a developing story.
HeraldLIVE