Maseru, July 15 — Environmental Health officials have assured Tlhaha-Lia-Tloka community in Nazareth that their local water is safe to drink, despite its location beneath a cemetery.
However, residents remain fearful of contamination and are calling on the government to provide an alternative, secure water supply.
Following complaints from the Tlhaha-Lia-Tloka community regarding a local well located beneath the cemetery, the Environmental Health Department stepped in to conduct comprehensive water tests.
Addressing the community on Wednesday District Health Inspector Mrs. ‘Maleloko Ncheche confirmed that there is nothing wrong with the water. Through conducted tests, she assured the community that the water is completely safe and not harmful for human consumption.
She said laboratory results revealed low traces of calcium, which she attributed to natural minerals from the soil and stones located beneath the well.
However, to maintain continuous safety, she promised that her department will conduct routine tests at least after six months.
Moreover she actively encouraged residents to continue drinking clean water from taps or protected wells saying if any problem or unusual taste is suspected, they must boil the water before drinking.
To further ensure a safe supply, she encouraged the community to thoroughly clean the well and tank every three months to prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria that cause waterborne diseases.
On the other hand, Health Inspector Ms. ‘Makarabo Lets’opha elaborated that Environmental standards indicate that a water source should be at least 30 meters from a cemetery saying this particular source is more than 300 meters away, which provides excellent assurance against contamination.
She urged community members to continue using their protected well and to safeguard two additional wells to ensure a better and more reliable supply of water.
Beyond drinking water, experts encouraged the community to harvest rainwater highlighting that having a steady supply is necessary for everyday cleaning tasks, bathing and washing clothes, which helps maintain overall hygiene.
They also warned that an unclean environment poses severe health hazards, specifically, urged women to stop throwing away disposable nappies in the open and to instead dig proper holes to dispose of them safely.
Despite the assurances from the Environmental Health Department, community members said that they will continue to consume the water with fear.
Citing ongoing anxiety over the water’s proximity to the cemetery, residents are calling on the government to step in and provide them with an alternative piped water supply.
Mrs. ‘Mamahlele Matlali noted that while residents learned the well water is supposedly not contaminated, deep fears remain, yet they feel they have no choice but to consume it.
She urged the government to step in with clean water provisions, as a protected well they built themselves no longer supplies enough for the community.
Echoing the need for clean water to maintain a healthy life, Ms. Nyefolo Emile commended Environmental Health officials for sensitizing them about the importance of proper hygiene and keeping their local environment clean.
Another Mr. Matau Matlali appealed to the government for assistance with new pipes to transmit water to their long-broken communal taps.Meanwhile, the government is progressively working to expand safe drinking water access through the Lesotho Lowlands Water Supply Scheme (LLWSS). These bulk infrastructure programs aim to boost climate resilience and secure universal access.
According to SDG 6, access to safe water and sanitation is crucial for health, economic development and climate resilience yet significant global gaps remain in ensuring universal availability.Its core targets include actionable targets to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable water management by 2030 citing universal, equitable and safe access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene while eliminating open defecation.
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