Public health cannot ever be compromised

Our recent report about the exaggerated levels of E. coli flowing into Lake Mzingazi, via streams running through suburbs, is extremely disturbing.

While the article made particular reference to problems at the Golf Course Estate, where raw sewerage has been running through the property, this is by no means the only area where residents are dealing with a similar issue – in some suburbs, for years.

Sewer spills (and power outages and water interruptions) have become commonplace in a city where we once prided ourselves that our levels of service delivery and general standards were so far above many – if not most – in the country.

While power outages, for example, are inconvenient and irritating, E. coli in water poses a massive risk to human health.

While the water does get treated to make it safe for human consumption, it must be borne in mind that many people are catching and eating fish in the lake.

Apart from that, treating drinking water with large doses of chlorine, besides the awful taste, could also have severe medical repercussions if ingested over an extended period.

Prevention is better than cure, and while the effect is being debated one must look at the cause, and there are a number of factors.

One is that the growth of suburbs such as Birdswood, Mandlazini and Mzingazi has outstripped the capability of the existing infrastructure, which should have been upgraded years ago.

In addition, the infrastructure has, in many parts of town, exceeded its ‘shelf life’.

There is also the question of lack of spare parts and a perceived failure to do the necessary preventative maintenance.

One can question whether the city has the qualified manpower in the infrastructural services department and whether there are many vacant posts at artisan level.

Of course there is also a tremendous amount of theft and vandalism of assets that plagues the municipality in so many ways.

A prime example of this is non-functioning traffic lights, often the result of cable theft.

This might, however, be a reflection of lack of proper security procedures.

The bottom line is: infrastructure failings are rife – and the impact this has on the public can be seen in the corresponding number of protest actions.

Ironically, during these, more damage is done to infrastructure. And let’s bear in mind that proper infrastructure is attractive to investors.