SOUTH AFRICA — South Africa’s Opposition party Democratic Alliance (DA) released a report warning that the country is in danger of a severe water crisis if a recent survey’s findings in water-stressed areas are overlooked by the government, according to a press release.
Developed after a four-month survey on the condition of South Africa’s water sector, the report revealed challenges hindering the accomplishment of access to water and increased supply — particularly in poor urban areas, stated the release.
The release reported that provinces of Limpopo, North West, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape have water with E. coli levels 320 times higher than what is considered suitable for wastewater treatment, and the investigation was prompted by an outbreak of diarrhea in the Northwest, which affected 500 people and resulted in the deaths of three children.
The report noted that some areas, such as Rietfontein, have water contaminated by E. coli at 1,000 times higher than wastewater treatment limits, added the release.
Read the entire release here.
