GEORGE NEWS - Fears that the quality of drinking water in Wilderness East might be affected by the sewage spill in the Touw River that occurred on Friday 24 December have been allayed by the George Municipality's Civil Engineering Services acting director, Lindsay Mooiman.
"The intake from the Touw River that feeds the Wilderness water treatment works is above the waterfall, with a supplementary feed to Wilderness from George. The potable/drinking water is completely safe," said Mooiman.
The spill occurred following a pump failure at Ebb and Flow after which the municipality issued a warning prohibiting swimming and other water acitivities.
This morning, Tuesday 29 December, the water quality was still not suitable for swimming and water sports. The municipality said that water samples taken in the afternoon of Monday 28 December show a considerable improvement but as a precautionary measure no water activities were allowed in the river, the river mouth and the lagoon.
Municipal communications chief Chantel Edwards-Klose said water sampling will continue twice daily to monitor water quality.
"The next results are due this afternoon, and as soon as the situation has stabilised the municipality will advise the public accordingly. We apologise for this unforeseen event."
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