WATCH: What South Africa’s dirty water does to your health
About two in five wastewater systems in South Africa are falling apart. Their dysfunction has disastrous effects — it exposes people to dirty water that can carry diseases like cholera
02 August 2023 - 07:00
byMia Malan, Jessica Pitchford, Mohale Moloi, Yolanda Mdzeke, Tshidiso Lechuba, Tshidiso Thangwana and Dylan Bush
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
A broken sewerage system in Bophelong near the Vaal River in Gauteng forces people to live “like pigs”, says environmental activist Lawrence Majoro.
The department of water & sanitation acknowledges the Vaal is “one of the worst-polluted rivers in South Africa”, leaving residents anxious about diseases like cholera.
In this episode of the monthly television show Health Beat, Bhekisisa takes you to see the rundown sewers in Vanderbijlpark, Emfuleni municipality. Mia Malan speaks to an infectious disease expert and a water scientist to find out how bad things can get if water treatment services don’t improve.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
WATCH: What South Africa’s dirty water does to your health
About two in five wastewater systems in South Africa are falling apart. Their dysfunction has disastrous effects — it exposes people to dirty water that can carry diseases like cholera
A broken sewerage system in Bophelong near the Vaal River in Gauteng forces people to live “like pigs”, says environmental activist Lawrence Majoro.
The department of water & sanitation acknowledges the Vaal is “one of the worst-polluted rivers in South Africa”, leaving residents anxious about diseases like cholera.
In this episode of the monthly television show Health Beat, Bhekisisa takes you to see the rundown sewers in Vanderbijlpark, Emfuleni municipality. Mia Malan speaks to an infectious disease expert and a water scientist to find out how bad things can get if water treatment services don’t improve.
This story was produced by the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism. Sign up for the newsletter.
ALSO READ:
Port Edward residents say sewage flows in the streets and the lack of water is dire
How dirty is Hammanskraal’s water? Very, experts say
Sewage runs through Cradle of Humankind, affecting business and killing plants
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
How dirty is Hammanskraal’s water? Very, experts say
Iced water and no water
Is there cholera in my water?
WATCH: How does cholera spread?
EDITORIAL: The ANC acts as if it hasn’t been in control since 1994
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.