POSTER A quick analysis of spring water quality was conducted in four neighbouring villages, namely Vondo, Matondoni, Maranzhe and Murangoni in Thohoyandou town under the Thulamela Local Municipality (TLM) of the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM). For the purposes of this study these villages will be termed VMMM villages. A study on the spring water quality of VMMM villages was conducted by the CSIR to determine whether the natural quality state of the spring water used by the surrounding communities was suitable for drinking purposes without pre-treatment. From the four springs that were identified in the VMMM villages, namely Tshali (S1), Ramufhufhi (S2), Tshinwela (S3) and Tshivhase (S4), water samples were taken for the quality analyses in the laboratory. The results indicated that S2 and S4 had a high coliform count of 35 and 600 per 100 ml, respectively), that is above 10 counts per 100 ml. In springs S2 and S4 the total coliform count also displayed the presence of E.coli (6 and 310 per millilitre, respectively) – E.coli should not be detected at all according to SANS standard limits (2011). While all other parameters were within standard limits (SANS 241, 2011), it was also interesting to note that both S3 and S4 had a problem of high turbidity (1, 6 and 105 NTU, respectively) compared to 1 NTU which is the standard limit (SANS 241, 2011). These results showed that although these communities relied on groundwater in the form of springs for drinking purposes, unmonitored use of these resources may be a health hazard that has a potential to result in disease outbreak and unprecedented deaths. While groundwater through springs is considered natural, increased activity around the source due to human activity and interference by domestic animals, these sources may be rendered unsafe for drinking purposes without prior treatment. Therefore, there is need for local authorities to put measures in place to monitor water resources considered indigenous and traditional to the communities, especially in areas where these resources have become the main source of water supply for drinking purposes.
Presenter Name
Vusumzi
Presenter Surname
Mema
Area
Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo
Conference year
2013
Keywords