Durban - Umgeni Water has dismissed claims that Midmar Dam is unsafe for recreation, after a television report deemed it hazardous.
The body’s corporate relations manager, Shami Harichunder, said yesterday that algal toxin concentrations in Midmar Dam – the reason for the warning – were measured weekly by Umgeni Water in an accredited laboratory in Pietermaritzburg.
Reports about algae concentrations in the dam surfaced in a Carte Blanche report a week ago. It said exposure to the algae could result in breathing difficulty, nausea and diarrhoea, among other symptoms.
The dam is the venue for the annual Midmar Mile, which is held in February each year and attracts thousands of swimmers.
Processes
“The concentrations are well below the World Health Organisation guidelines for use of the water for recreational purposes (swimming, canoeing, etc). In fact, the concentration is less than the detection limit of 0.147ug/l (milligrams per litre). The WHO’s limit for drinking water is 1ug/l.”
Harichunder said the purified water being supplied from the treatment plants fed by Midmar Dam, and all the other dams run by Umgeni, was safe to use for drinking purposes.
Albert Falls, Nagle, Hazelmere, E J Smith (Umzinto area), Inanda and Solly Bux (Ixopo) dams were also safe to use. “We have advanced treatment processes, including activated carbon, specifically designed to remove algal toxins.”
He said the only dam with high algal cell concentrations was Shongweni Dam which was not used for supplying water treatment plants for purification for drinking water.
“Paddlers and canoe clubs that use the Shongweni Dam for recreational purposes are aware of the risk and notices have been erected at the dam.”
Meanwhile, the eThekwini Municipality said yesterday the recent rainfall had had “very little impact” on affected dams, and advised that people still used water sparingly.
Residents were urged to report illegal water connections, water leaks and burst pipes by calling the 24-hour call centre at 080 1313013.
THE MERCURY