22/02/2022
URGENT WATER QUALITY ALERT
BCMM would like to inform its residents that based on the recently tests conducted at the plant, above normal water turbidity has been observed at its uMzonyana Water Treatment Plant.
The plant supplies treated drinking water to consumers in the East London and Mdantsane areas.
This includes the whole of East London from Sunrise on Sea, Gonubie, Beacon Bay, Nahoon, Abbotsford, Vincent, Cambridge, Southernwood, Selborne, Chiselhurst, CBD, Amalinda, Dawn, Westbank, Sunnyridge, Buffalo Flats, Duncan Village, Winterstrand, Needs Camp, Ncera Villages up to Kaysers Beach) and Mdantsane (NU1 to NU17).
Since the recent reports issued on water quality by the City, including changing of chemicals toward the end of January and early February 2022, the City has been closely monitoring the quality of our raw water, effectiveness of treatment, and water quality post treatment.
The alternate treatment chemicals initially improved the quality of treated drinking water but has since contributed to other operational issues experienced at the treatment plant, notably:
· There is excessive production of sludge during the water treatment process
· The sludge must be removed to improve the water quality
· Production (the volume of water treated) will be reduced while dealing with the problem
· Laboratory tests will be carried out to confirm if the current water treatment chemicals used are contributing to the excessive sludge
The above process is set to take approximately 12 hours to achieve conclusive results.
During this period a deterioration in water quality will be observed on taps, as well as additional water outages experienced in the supply areas.
Certain suburbs are currently experiencing extended water outages due to insufficient supply of water by the system already – we are assisting with water tankers where we have been notified.
Based on the above, the Municipality is implementing a PRECAUTIONARY boil water alert in order to protect the health of consumers. Consumers are advised to please boil their water before drinking or cooking, until further notice.
BCMM wishes to assure its residents that it is treating this matter with the utmost urgency and seriousness.
An update to this communication will be provided on Wednesday 23 February 2022.
For more information please do not hesitate to contact our call centre on 0861113017 or water centres in East London 0437059234/9235; Mdantsane on 0437059860/1 and eQonce on 0436048526/8590.
Issued by BCMM Communications Department.
