Pretoria -
The Tshwane metro is exposing residents to a health hazard by not running sewage treatment plants properly, the Democratic Alliance said on Friday.
Citing the Green Drop Progress report released by the department of water affairs, DA spokesman Darryl Moss appealed to the municipality to act.
“The report shows that for 13 out of the 17 Tshwane (sewage treatment) plants, the risk rating has increased,” said Moss.
“These include the major plants like Baviaanspoort, Daspoort, Rietgat, Rooiwal East, Rooiwal North and Sandspruit.”
The report revealed that in Gauteng, Tshwane had dropped from eighth position in 2011 to last position in 2012, going from a risk rating of 61 percent to 71 percent.
Moss said the DA was concerned about the “serious deterioration” of the metro’s operational capability.
He said the report indicated that in most of the troubled plants, effluent quality was identified as the highest risk area.
None of the plants attained acceptable compliance levels to finally discharge effluent into rivers.
“People using water from the rivers and streams, including farmers and informal settlement dwellers without access to formalised water and sanitation systems, are being exposed to potentially dangerous chemicals and organisms.”
Tshwane should approach national government for financial assistance to fast-track planned improvements, said Moss.
The municipality has not responded to the DA's assertions. - Sapa