Activists say Milnerton waste plant is releasing water with high levels of E. coli

Hey there, folks! It’s time to talk about something really important. You see, I’ve come across some noteworthy news that’s been causing quite a stir. It turns out that there’s been a bit of an issue with the water coming from the Milnerton waste plant. Activists have discovered that this water contains alarmingly high levels of E. coli bacteria. Yep, you heard that right. It’s definitely not good news.

Now, let me break it down for you. E. coli is a type of bacteria that lives in the intestines of humans and animals. In small amounts, it’s usually harmless. But when it shows up in our water sources, well, that’s a different story. Let’s just say you don’t want to be drinking or swimming in water contaminated with this stuff. It can lead to some pretty unpleasant symptoms like stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Not exactly what you want to deal with, right?

The thing is, this whole situation raises some important questions. How did this happen? And what are we going to do about it? You might be wondering if there’s a way to fix the problem. Well, the truth is, it’s not going to be an easy task. We need to find a way to prevent this contamination from happening in the first place.

But hold on a sec, before we go pointing fingers, let’s think about the bigger picture. It’s not just about the Milnerton waste plant. This issue reminds us of the broader challenge we face when it comes to pollution and protecting our environment. We all have a responsibility to take care of our natural resources and make sure they’re safe and clean.

Now, I know I’m throwing a lot at you here, but don’t worry. There are things we can do to make a difference. We can support organizations and initiatives that work towards cleaner water and stricter regulations. We can also do our part by being mindful of what we put into our water systems and advocating for change.

So, my friends, let’s take a moment to reflect on the importance of clean water. It’s something we often take for granted, but it’s a vital resource that we can’t afford to overlook. Together, we can make a positive impact and ensure that water everywhere is safe and healthy for everyone.

In today’s digital age, the concept of online privacy is something that we should all take seriously. It’s important to protect our personal information and ensure that our online activities are kept secure. However, with the vast amount of information available on the internet, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s where privacy settings come in. If you’re like me, you may not be familiar with all the different privacy settings that are available on various platforms and websites. But don’t worry, I’m here to help.

When it comes to protecting your online privacy, one of the key things to understand is the importance of privacy settings. These settings allow you to control what information is shared with others and who has access to it. They can help ensure that only the people you want to see your information can see it. But navigating through the complex world of privacy settings can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to take your time and familiarize yourself with the options available to you.

One of the first things you should do when setting up a new account on a website or social media platform is to review the privacy settings. Many platforms have default settings that may not align with your preferences. By taking the time to review and adjust these settings, you can ensure that your information is being shared only with those you trust.

Another important aspect of privacy settings is knowing what information you are sharing and with whom. Some platforms allow you to customize who can see your posts, photos, and other personal information. By understanding the different options available to you, you can make informed decisions about what you share and with whom.

It’s also important to keep in mind that privacy settings can change over time. As technology advances and new features are added to platforms, privacy settings may be updated or new options may become available. That’s why it’s important to stay informed and regularly check your privacy settings to ensure they are still aligned with your preferences.

Overall, the meaning of privacy settings is to give you control over your online presence and protect your personal information. By taking the time to understand and adjust these settings, you can enhance your online privacy and have peace of mind knowing that your information is secure.

Hey there! I’ve got some exciting news for you today. Recent investigations carried out by the awesome folks at the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) have revealed some shocking findings. It turns out that the Potsdam Wastewater Treatment Works in Milnerton is releasing wastewater that contains extraordinarily high amounts of E. coli bacteria. Can you believe it?

But here’s where it gets really interesting. The City of Cape Town, on the other hand, conducted their own tests and guess what? They found absolutely no evidence of any E. coli in the effluent discharged by the Potsdam Wastewater Treatment Works. Quite the contradiction, right?

Hey, guess what? Activists from the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse have just done some new water tests. And you won’t believe what they found! The Potsdam Wastewater Treatment Works in Milnerton is actually releasing effluent with really high levels of E.coli. I know, right? The funny thing is, the City of Cape Town said their tests showed the total opposite. What’s up with that?

So, in their recent press statement, the folks at OUTA kind of questioned whether the City can actually handle keeping the quality of that effluent in check. And get this, back in February, the Western Cape Government made the City come up with plans on how they’re gonna deal with all that pollution. I mean, it sounds pretty serious, doesn’t it?

On November 18th, I discovered something alarming: at Potsdam, there’s a place that is secretly releasing waste into the water. The level of bacteria measured in the discharged wastewater was incredibly high – a shocking 8.4 million units of E. Coli per 100 milliliters. And it’s getting worse. Just a few months ago, on September 17th, the level was only 6,500 units per 100 milliliters.

Now, you might be wondering, what’s the big deal? Well, the Department of Water and Sanitation has set a limit for E. Coli in wastewater discharged into water resources. That limit is 1,000 units per 100 milliliters. So, you can see that the discharge at Potsdam is way over the acceptable limit.

But the problem doesn’t stop there. I decided to investigate further and took some samples upstream from Potsdam. Here, the E. Coli count was only 108 units per 100 milliliters, which is a significant difference. However, when I tested samples taken below the treatment plant, the count skyrocketed to a staggering 1.68 million units per 100 milliliters. This means that the treatment plant is not doing its job properly, and the water quality is suffering as a result.

If that’s not concerning enough, the situation at the Milnerton Lagoon Club is even worse. The E. Coli count there is a whopping 10,100 units per 100 milliliters. This is way beyond the acceptable limit and poses a serious threat to public health.

On November 6th, the City made a statement regarding the situation in Potsdam, noting that there has been a significant improvement since April. They mentioned that the levels of E. coli in the effluent samples are now well below the required targets set by the authorities.

The Organization Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) claims that the City’s water test results only focused on the official discharge points where the effluent is treated. They argue that the “unofficial” discharge points continue to cause pollution in the environment.

However, Xanthea Limberg, a member of the City’s Mayoral Committee for Water and Waste, refutes this claim. Limberg insists that there are no unofficial discharge points in Potsdam. She explains that the sample taken by OUTA was from a collapsed reed bed wall near the plant, which is not a part of the Potsdam operations.

“The reed bed is doing a great job at trapping the stormwater in the area,” I said. This stormwater is really dirty because people have been dumping trash in it.”

I also mentioned that the water test conducted by OUTA didn’t accurately represent the final quality of the water at Potsdam.

Andrea Korff, who manages legal projects at OUTA, added that this test was just one of many that they conduct. She said, “We’ve already brought the poor water quality at Potsdam to the City’s attention multiple times.”

The City has plans to spend R2.2 billion on upgrading Potsdam by 2025. However, Korff believes that we need to take action now if we want to save the Diep River ecosystem.

• I conducted tests at the Potsdam Wastewater Treatment Works in Milnerton, and the results revealed that the effluent being discharged contains significant amounts of E.coli bacteria.
• I believe that it is crucial for immediate action to be taken in this matter.
• Interestingly, the City of Cape Town conducted their own evaluation and concluded that there has been an improvement in the situation.
• However, the City disagrees with the accuracy of the tests carried out by my organization, OUTA.