Tap water safe for consumption, assures CoCT

The City of Cape Town has reassured residents that its tap water is safe for consumption. This comes after residents complained to the municipality of an ‘earthy flavour’ to their tap water

In a statement, the City said its water is compliant with South African Drinking Water Quality Standards (SANS 241: 2015).

Mayco member for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, said the change in taste is due to the presence of geosmin in its drinking water supply originating from the Theewaterskloof Dam.

‘’Following a few days of hot weather, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has encountered the presence of geosmin in our water supply. This is currently affecting the taste and smell of the water supplied from the Faure and Blackheath Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) to various areas across Cape Town, primarily the central and southern areas.’’

‘’It must be emphasised that geosmin poses no threat to human health. It is a naturally occurring organic compound and is responsible for the earthy taste of beetroot and the scent that occurs in the air when rain falls after a dry spell. The compound is present in water at undetectable levels, but during periods of hot weather, the levels of geosmin can increase; and even minute concentrations of a few parts per trillion can be detected by the human palate,’’

‘’I’d like to assure residents that the City’s engineers, lab scientists and process controllers are closely monitoring this situation. The water teams at Faure and Blackheath WTPs have also boosted their already rigorous water treatment process, by dosing powdered activated carbon to reduce the effect of the geosmin,’’ added Badroodien.

The MMC said that it may take some time for the taste and smell of the water to normalise.

 

Done by: Mitchum George