KNYSNA NEWS - Brown and gritty water coming out of residents' taps in Knysna's northern areas has raised fears among locals. Residents of Concordia, Hornlee, White Location, Rykmanshoogte and Fraaisig have been forced to use brown water from their taps.
One of the residents, Thomas Grobler, said in Rykmanshoogte, Fraaisig and Hornlee this has been on and off continuously for the past four days.
"Every time we call the municipality we are told the same excuse that the reservoir is running low or there is a technical problem which has been going on for years," he said. He said when the tap water is left in the bath, there is a lot of sediment on the bottom. Grobler has hired a water cooler to ensure fresh water for his household.
Concordia resident Elvis Nyengs said their water has been brown for a long time. In a Facebook post earlier this week, Nyengs said, "At the moment this is how water looks like in Concordia, can we drink it." Commenting in Nyengs' status, Leon Schoeman said the water in Knysna is shocking.
"This municipality is only interested in their exorbitant salaries and their back pockets. It's disgusting that I as a ratepayer have to buy my drinking water because I cannot drink my tap water," he said.
Another resident, Fikiswa Tawule, said she suffered from diarrhoea two weeks ago. "I think it was because of the water. No more drinking tap water for me," she said.
Hornlee resident Ralph Stander said they don't have water in Hornlee. "When water comes on after a while, it is dirty," he said.
Pump failure
Knysna Municipality spokesperson Christopher Bezuidenhoudt said the municipality is aware of the problem and it has been addressed.
"The discolouration was as a result of a pump failure at the water purification plant. This pump does not affect the production of potable water; however, it is responsible for pumping clean water to storage reservoirs. Regrettably the levels of these reservoirs ran low resulting in the brown colour. The pump has been replaced," he said.
Bezuidenhout said all municipal water systems are tested on a regular basis by an independent authority to ensure the municipality's potable water comply with SANS standards. The water is safe to drink and has been tested.
"If customers have any questions, please contact 044 302 6331 office hours," he said.
In a notice on Thursday, the municipality said water supply to the Hornlee area was disrupted due to technical challenges at the water treatments works. "The reservoir that feeds the area is currently very low. Water trucks are still roaming the area to supply water to affected residents," the notice read.
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