Irrigation farmers in Vaalharts are concerned about the presence of cholera bacteria in the water of the Harts and Vaal rivers in North West and the Northern Cape.
The Department of Water and Sanitation warned communities and water users along the Harts and Vaal rivers downstream from Christiana on 9 October that routine samples showed the presence of cholera bacteria.
The samples were taken at the Wentzel Dam, Schweizer-Reneke, Christiana, Barkly West caravan park and the Douglas weir.
The department warned communities in various district municipalities, as well as water authorities, to be careful with water treatment processes, disinfection and chlorination.
Follow-up samples are being taken and the test results will indicate the extent and severity of the problem.
Anton Howarth, chairperson of the Vaalharts District Agricultural Union, says farmers have been warning for three to four years at various forums that something needs to be done about the water quality. “We knew there was going to be a problem, just not when. Now it’s here and we have to try to manage it.”
Irrigation farmers have been trying to pressure municipalities to properly operate and maintain their sewage plants.
“In our municipality (Phokwane), however, we’ve had eight municipal managers in about three years, which makes it difficult to communicate with the person responsible,” says Howarth. The municipality is responsible for Hartswater, Jan Kempdorp and Pampierstad, home to many agricultural workers.
According to information the agricultural union has gathered since the department issued the warning, irrigation with cholera-contaminated water will be a problem only if vegetables and fruits are eaten raw.
However, farmers are concerned about possible misconceptions regarding their products and the health of people in their communities, especially their workers.
Howarth says a local doctor warns that the situation must be taken seriously and that farmers working with irrigation equipment must take precautions to protect themselves against the bacteria.
Cholera can lead to severe diarrhoea and dehydration, and can be life-threatening if not treated.
Howarth says boreholes in the area are not deep and there is great concern that the bacteria could spread to the borehole water.

Emerging farmers heavily affected
According to Christelle Stoman, manager of the agricultural union, the organisation has distributed the department’s warning through its communication channels but is still concerned that not everyone in the community will be reached. There are people who draw water from the canals for use.
The situation is a setback for a training programme for emerging farmers in which the agricultural union is involved. These farmers mainly plant vegetables. There are also livestock farmers who pump water from the rivers to livestock drinking points.
The agricultural union regularly takes water samples and takes them to Gariep Watch, which monitors and tests the river’s water quality. Results have long shown that the water has high E. coli levels.
Stop pollution at source
Niel van Eeden, CEO of the water users’ association Vaalharts Water, hopes the situation will be reversed quickly so farmers’ markets are not adversely affected.
According to him, the only solution from an agricultural perspective is to trace and stop the source of the pollution. “It is difficult to treat untreated water that is sprayed on a large scale (for irrigation).”
Vaalharts Water reports water pollution to the Department of Water and Sanitation. Further steps rest with the department.
“This situation is entirely the result of municipalities being negligent and reckless with the handling of untreated sewage. This must be publicised to prevent similar situations in the future. We are trying our best to apply the necessary pressure, together with institutions like Gariep Watch, with which we are also involved,” says Van Eeden.