The Department of Water and Sanitation has issued a warning to communities along the Harts and Vaal rivers from Christiana downstream to avoid using untreated water. The department believes that the water is contaminated with cholera.

DO NOT CONSUME

In a statement, the department said during raw water sampling last month, the presence of cholera was detected. Therefore, water from five sites, namely Wentzel Dam, Schweizer Reneke, Christiana, Barkley West Caravan Park and Douglas Weir, was deemed unsafe. "Communities are advised not to drink or come into contact with the raw water from the rivers. Follow-up sampling on the river is in process and will indicate the extent and area of caution. The communities under the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Francis Baard and Pixley ka Seme District Municipalities and the water services authorities in the area have been requested to take extra care in the water treatment process, disinfection and chlorination of the water," the department said.

TREAT WATER

The department said municipalities must treat water from the rivers to ensure it is safe for consumption. "The Vaal River is a "workhorse river" serving the Gauteng, Free State, North West and Northern Cape provinces, supplying water to various users for domestic, industrial, mine, and agricultural use that contribute to nutrients in the river. All possible pollution sources from the Bloemhof Dam to Douglas are considered, specifically from the discharge of wastewater treatment works. The required compliance monitoring and enforcement activities will continue to ensure compliance," the department said.