The Limpopo River's suddenly turning a bright green in mid-July sparked fears that the cause might have been a major pollution spill further upstream from a mine on the Zimbabwean side. Residents were, however, elated to hear that the sudden change of colour was nothing more than a naturally occurring algae bloom. This followed after the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) conducted water-sample tests and later announced that the test had come back "negative".
"That is not a normal algae load - nitrates, nitrites, phosphate levels? Negative for what? Ask them for the results?" This was Louis Trichardt resident Ms Hermien Roux's response to the newspaper's online article that appeared regarding the VDM's feedback. Roux (Pr. Sci. Nat) is an aquatic scientist (M.Sc.) and fresh-water lecturer at the University of Venda.
On 15 July, the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) took water samples at seven different locations to determine the Limpopo's water quality. On 20 July, the VDM issued a statement that the tests done on the water had come back negative. "The greenish colour inside the river was caused by algae. However, the testing of water quality will continue to be conducted on a weekly basis to determine any contamination in the near future," the VDM stated.
Reacting to Roux's request, the Zoutpansberger did ask VDM for their test results and the name of the laboratory where they were conducted. They obliged.
It turns out that none of the tests were actually taken in the Limpopo River itself, but rather at seven boreholes located around Musina. The seven locations listed on the VDM "Potable Water Analyses Report (Compliance)" are Oorplaas Raw, Oorplaas Final, Musina Workshop, Musina Location, Campbell, Musina Reservoir, and Musina Show Grounds. All locations are listed as boreholes, with the tests done by Muratho Laboratory Services and Consulting in Polokwane.
Copies of the VDM's test report were sent to Roux for scrutiny.
"The main issue is that they cannot use potable (drinking) water tests to determine if there is pollution or excessive algae in the Limpopo River. The potable tests also did not comply for the Musina report. I am also not impressed with most of the Musina water-quality targets for potable water. They are not responding as a responsible government section should," said Roux.
Roux was referring to the fact that five of the seven boreholes tested on 15 July did not comply with the minimum South African National Standard (SANS) 241 requirements for potable water considered safe for human consumption regarding the presence of E. coli.
To explain: E. coli (Escherichia coli) is a clear indicator of faecal pollution in water, meaning it likely comes from human or animal waste. Because of this, its presence in drinking water is taken very seriously. To ensure there is negligible risk of infection, the guideline is 0 E. coli per 100ml — in other words, E. coli should not be present at all. If E. coli is detected, it means the water is unsafe to drink and poses a high risk of causing illness, especially gastrointestinal infections. The E. coli count per 100ml for Musina Reservoir was 8.4, for Musina Show Grounds 8.6, for Oorplaas Final 10.8, for Musina Workshop 6.3, and 17.1 for Campbell.
Four boreholes also did not meet the minimum SANS 241 requirements regarding the presence of Total Coliforms. Total Coliform bacteria are used to check the overall cleanliness and safety of drinking water, as well as the effectiveness of water-treatment systems. Ideally, treated water should have 0–5 Total Coliforms per 100ml, which is considered safe and within the Target Water Quality Range. If levels rise to between 5 and 100 per 100ml, it suggests possible treatment failure, contamination after treatment, or bacterial growth within the pipes. In such cases, there is an increased risk of spreading diseases if people are continuously exposed to the water. The Total Coliforms per 100ml for Musina Reservoir was 18.5, Musina Show Grounds 12.12, Oorplaas Final 16.9, and 15.8 for Musina Workshop. All four also failed the E.coli test. Campbell met the requirements for Total Coliform.
Roux was asked if she would drink the water from these boreholes. Her answer was a definite "No. Especially not if you have a medical condition," said Roux.
But the reality is that people are drinking the water, although it might cause diseases such as gastroenteritis, salmonellosis, dysentery, cholera, and typhoid fever.
In response to Roux's remark that she would not drink the water, the VDM was asked on Monday if, according to their own test results, they considered the water from these boreholes in Musina to be drinkable. The request for comment was followed up on Tuesday and Wednesday. Despite our emphasising the urgency of the matter, VDM spokesperson Moses Shibambu indicated on Wednesday morning that he was still waiting for a response from their technical department. At the time of our going to press, no response had been received yet.
On the bright side, it must be mentioned that private tests done by resident farmers along the Limpopo River had indeed come back negative for pollution. "Those who tested for chemicals report that there were no chemicals present. So, we can exclude rumours that it was a mine that dumped chemicals in the river," said Fanie Havinga, chairperson of the Soutpansberg District Agricultural Union and TLU SA Limpopo. The recent cold weather in the region over the past few weeks also helped clear up the Limpopo River again.