Benoni residents have been warned not to drink water from the town’s rivers, especially the Blesbokspruit, or use it for irrigation purposes, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry said on Thursday.
Spokesperson Marius Keet said the warning came after salmonella was found in effluent at Benoni Sewage Treatment.
”There was no sign of typhoid after sampling was done on water-treatment plants, but as far as sewage is concerned, salmonella was found in one effluent,” said Keet.
”It’s not necessarily typhoid, but we have asked for further tests to be done on the water sample, results of which will be out in 20 hours.”
The test results are expected to be released on Friday afternoon, the department said.
Keet appealed to residents not to drink water from rivers in the Benoni area without treating it and not to use the water for irrigation purposes, until test results prove that the water is safe.
However, he said tap water is safe to drink and use.
Since the typhoid outbreak in Delmas, Mpumalanga, was confirmed on August 22, five people have died and more than 3 000 people were treated for symptoms of the disease. — Sapa