The outflow from the Oudtshoorn Waste Water Works must comply with Water Affairs’ “General Standards”. These standards make allowance for bacteria to be present, but within certain limits. The standard also gives guidelines with regard to pH, ammoniac, dissolved salts, etc. Effluent conforming to these standards may be used for irrigation.
The effluent from the Oudtshoorn Waste Water Treatment Works is tested monthly and conforms to these standards. The effluent is made available free of charge.
It is however advisable to keep the following in mind, should you decide to irrigate your garden with the treated effluent:
- No root vegetables like potatoes, onions, carrots, sweet potatoes, etc. should be irrigated with the treated effluent. To be on the safe side, rather not use the treated effluent for irrigation of any vegetables or fruit. It is also good practise to wash any vegetables and fruit before consumption in any case.
- Do not use or play on lawns when still wet after being irrigated with treated effluent. Rather wait for a day or two to dry and to give the UV rays from the sun time to assist with disinfection.
- Wash hands after being in contact with treated effluent and wear shoes and gloves if you have any sores or wounds on your skin.
The Municipality requests that not more than 2000 litres be collected per visit at the St. Saviour Street tap. Larger volumes must be collected from the tap at the Waste Water Treatment Works.
The effort to save water by using treated effluent for irrigation by the Oudtshoorn community is greatly appreciated.