Question NW2873 to the Minister of Water and Sanitation
10 October 2023 - NW2873
Mkhonto, Ms C N to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
What (a) was found to have been the exact cause of the illness of 78 primary school learners in Tshwane and (b) assurances can he give that it was not related to the quality of tap water?
Reply:
a) The Department of Water and Sanitation advises Honourable member to request the exact cause of illness of 78 primary school learners in City of Tshwane from Department of Health. The name of the Primary School concerned will assist to expedite response.
b) The Department Water and Sanitation collected water samples at strategic points for analysis after the cholera outbreak. The points were Rooiwal discharge point, Apies River abstraction points, water treatment plant, distribution network and points of use. The samples were taken by the Department as well as the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) took additional samples as an independent laboratory. The department laboratory results established that points of abstraction and point of use were compliant with the SANS 241:2015 standard. Therefore, in the absence of confirmation of the exact nature of the illness, the department hereby confirms that water provided through Rand Water pipeline and water tankers is fit for human consumption.
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