Joburg's water contamination sees improvement

Joburg Mayor Dada Morero says water quality in Bezuidenhout Valley and the Joburg inner city is improving after a sewer overflow contaminated a damaged water pipe last month.

Residents in the area have been advised not to drink tap water.

Briefing the media in Johannesburg, Morero explained what happened: “The damaged steel pipe was located near a sewer manhole and required specialised welding, including the removal of a t-piece. While the team awaited the welding crew’s availability, a nearby sewer manhole became blocked and overflowed, spilling sewer into the trench and mixing with water from the damaged pipe.”

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Morero added that initial tests showed the water was not fit for consumption, but subsequent tests have shown a steady improvement

“As of the 4th of January, only two of seven sampling points were still below drinking water standards. Bulk dosing and additional flushing are continuing.”

He further said affected areas have now been narrowed down to parts of 6^th through 10^th Avenue near Albertina Sisulu.