The metro has noted the recent media reports of two families who allegedly found worms in their potable water.<\/p>\n
The first incident was a complaint by Ina Cloete of Birchleigh.<\/p>
Her complaint was investigated and her neighbours interviewed.<\/p>\n
Samples from her tap water and from that of neighbours were taken.<\/p>
The laboratory results showed no signs of foreign elements or traces of anything that can result in a formation of a worm.<\/p>\n
The only possible cause was found to be faulty plumbing in her house.<\/p>\n
Christo Green of Kempton Park also complained of the same occurrence of a worm coming from his tap water in July.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe worms found by Cloete and Green were a terrestrial species and were alive when found.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis type of worm species cannot survive in water due to the water reticulation system\u2019s inherent high pressure and the worm species\u2019 inability to breath in water,\u201d said Themba Gadebe, spokesperson for the metro.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd, in addition, the metro gets water from Rand Water where it goes through a chemical-intensive purification process that cannot be survived by any type of living species.<\/p>\n
\u201cFurthermore, the metro\u2019s vast water reticulation infrastructure comprises of intermediate high-pressure pumps, valves and meters that no living creature such as a worm can pass through intact and get to the end-users\u2019 taps.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n No more free water for non-indigents, high-value property owners<\/a><\/p>\n Don\u2019t put gutter water down your drains<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n How can a worm find itself inside a water tap?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Insects, such as moths, flies and other dipteran species like to lay their eggs in moist areas. Often these places are the mouths of water taps, bath or basin overflows, or drains. Once the larvae (first stage of the insect life-cycle) hatches from the eggs, they can then drop into or be washed into a basin from a tap.<\/p>\n \u2022 Terrestrial worms \u2013 those with feet and feelers, like millipedes, can crawl into a tap and be washed out once the tap is opened and it can then be perceived that it came from the potable water supply system. They can also fall into a bath full of water, from crawling on the side or wall and be perceived as being in the water.<\/p>\n \u2022 Worms, for example, earthworms can crawl into leaking water pipes in the ground when the water network is off. Once a tap is opened the water pressure washes them out of the tap.<\/p>\n \u2022 Worms, for example, earthworms can crawl through the wastewater drain system into the overflows of the basin or bath, and it can then be perceived that it came from the potable water supply system.<\/p>\n \u2022 It should be noted that, if a worm is found alive it could not have come through the municipal system, because the worm would not have been able to breathe and it would also have been exposed to the pressure in the pipes.<\/p>\n The metro\u2019s water is regularly tested for quality, and the results are published on its website on a monthly basis.<\/p>\n The latest results conducted in June 2018 showed excellent compliance levels in all areas, recording 100 per cent compliance levels in the areas listed below, and 99 per cent in operational compliance (ORC):<\/p>\n \u2022 Acute health microbiological compliance (AHMC).<\/p>\n \u2022 Acute health chemical compliance (AHCC).<\/p>\n \u2022 Chronic health chemical compliance (CHCC).<\/p>\n \u2022 Aesthetic compliance (AC).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n