human body wastes into rivers. In addition to using a river as a
source of drinking water, people in such areas also have a
tendency to using the same source for bathing, washing (e.g.
clothes), recreational purposes (e.g. swimming), etc. Since the
Tshwane River is not fenced, wild and domestic animals seeking
drinking water can also contaminate the water. Birds and some
animals inhabiting the water can also contaminate the water
through direct defecation and urination. Over-grazing and other
poor farming practices, common in rural areas, may result in
large quantities of topsoil ending up in the river after heavy rains,
and thereby contributing to high turbidity. Turbidity indicates the
presence of organic suspended material which promotes the
growth of micro-organisms (WRC, 1993). Poor water sanitation
practices (e.g. using unclean buckets to draw water from the well)
might be the major contributor to contamination of Lefatlheng
Well. Since the well is not protected, climate change and other
ecological disturbances (as for Tshwane River) can also not be
underestimated as possible sources of contamination. Contamination
of the groundwater (Tlhalogango and Matlaisane) might
be indirectly due to climate conditions. For example, heavy rains
may transport organisms (derived from animals and birds) from
the soil to the groundwater. Since pit latrine toilets are located not
far from the two water sources, respectively, faecal contaminants
from human excreta may also find their way to the water via this
route. Since the groundwater is removed from the boreholes by
diesel motors and pumps to tanks fitted with taps, contamination
might also be as a result of some defects related to the plumbing
of the water supply system.