A troubling situation unfolded on Tuesday, 12 November 2024, after residents across several Newcastle households reported a foul odour and unpleasant taste in their water supply. Such was the nature of the reports, that the Newcastle Municipality immediately responded, dispatching a team to test the quality of the water in the affected areas.
Cllr Bertie Meiring, Chairperson of the Municipality’s Development and Planning Committee and local Ward Councillor, explained that he had been inundated by complaints from residents in Hutten Heights, Amiel Park, and parts of Pioneer Park.
“Residents complained about the smell and taste of their water, with some claiming to have diarrhoea after drinking it, although it cannot be confirmed whether the diarrhoea was caused by the water. After receiving the complaints, I notified the relevant department, and a team was dispatched to collect samples from the homes,” he said.
The water samples will now be sent to the uThukela Water Laboratory for testing. Although Cllr Meiring could not provide a specific timeline for when the results would be available, he assured residents that they would be informed once the results were confirmed.
While the community awaits the outcome, Cllr Meiring made it clear that the Municipality is treating the matter with the utmost urgency.
“The Municipality will conduct bi-monthly tests on the water from now on,” he stated, emphasising the Municipality’s commitment to ensuring the water quality meets required standards and poses no risk to the residents.
As the test results are now pending, residents who have not yet reported issues with foul-smelling or bad-tasting water are encouraged to contact their local ward councillors or the Municipality immediately.
What are your thoughts on this situation? Share your views in the comments below.
Comments 3
I reported the foul odour (chemical)and cabbage/vegetable taste about 3 weeks ago to the Municipality Call centre. Arbourpark, Central and Sunnyridge area affected at that stage. Literally got worse since then it seems.
This taste and odour is in the water for at least 3 weeks already. I have reported it to Cllr Bertie Meiring on the 1st 4th and the 11th November, with nothing being done until at the last complain when i requested people on the Huttenpark support group to come forward with street names and the same problem , as well as a situation of diarhee and stomach problems . And the list was endless . It seemed to me that this water ussue, was all in our area lower and upper Hutten Heights and Amielpark and Pioneer park
We live in Barryhertzog Park, and my mother complained last weekend that the water coming out of the tap is smelling like a pesticide or chemical and asked me what I had in the cup before. I can’t smell it because I’ve got a flu, but since then she’s refused to drink tap water.