Good news for Phalaborwa residents: the town’s water is now clean and safe to drink. The issue began when a water pipeline through a sewage manhole at Park and Hans Pirow streets was damaged.
Let’s Change BaPhalaborwa (LCBP) first reported the issue to authorities. The contaminated water affected homes, an old-age home, tourism spots, supermarkets, and food businesses. In response, Lepelle Northern Water (LNW), the town’s bulk water supplier, conducted tests that confirmed the contamination. Though LNW didn’t release the test results directly, the findings were handed over to Mopani District Municipality (MDM).
MDM spokesperson Odas Ngobeni confirmed that a team was dispatched to address the issue. Initial testing on August 22 revealed contamination at one tourist spot, but the other three tested areas were clean. By August 26, the water line at the affected site was flushed, and follow-up tests showed the water was much cleaner. More samples taken on August 28 confirmed that the water met safety standards, with independent lab results showing no contamination.
Despite the water issue being resolved, Ward 11 Councillor Lonika Booysen remains concerned about sewage leaks at the damaged spot. The ongoing sewage poses a risk, needing further action.
Booysen has formally requested Dr. Lucas Pilusa, the municipal manager of Ba-Phalaborwa, to conduct a full inspection of the town’s water and sewage systems. Her aim is to prevent any future contamination and ensure long-term safety for residents. However, as of now, she has not yet received a response from the municipal authorities.
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