The City of Tswhane Utility Services Department recently took the samples from Upstream, Rooiwal effluent, Leeukraal Dam and Temba Drinking Water for testing to an external laboratory, as a precautionary measure, following suspicions that the effluent may be contaminated with listeria.
The City confirmed that the tests results were received late last week which found no trace of listeria.
Mr Selby Bokaba, Executive Director of Strategic Communication at the City of Tshwane, said the results of the four samples that were tested for possible contamination of listeria from the Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment Plant effluent found no trace of the deadly bacteria.
MMC for Utility Services, Councillor Darryl Moss said: “I’m relieved and overjoyed to hear of the outcome of the tests conducted by an independent and external laboratory.
“We always endeavour as the City of Tshwane to provide clean and healthy drinkable water to our communities, and in this case, we had to test all four samples from various sources to ensure that there was no contamination. We strive to ensure that our consumable water passes our stringent standards”.
Listeriosis is a severe bacterial infection caused by bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. The bacterium is spread when people eat food contaminated with the bacterium. The most common foods to be infected are raw or unpasteurized milk as well as soft cheeses, or vegetables, processed foods and ready-to-eat meats and smoked fish products.
The symptoms are fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. Pregnant women who contract listeriosis are at increased risk of premature birth and stillbirth.
