Mistrust over Water, Deepening Divide between Students and University.

By Sovash Chetty

Water in the beige tanks littered around Rhodes University campus goes mostly unused. Student’s trust in the University has been eroding due to constant miscommunication over the water crisis.  Despite the best efforts of Rhodes University to be transparent and communicate there stills seem to be a hesitancy to trust from students.

A survey of 187 randomly selected students of Rhodes University in April 2019 yielded some interesting results. Out of 129 residents’ students, 43 Oppidan students, and 15 Students permanently residing in Makhanda, only 3 people who use the beige water tanks for drinking water could be found. However, 32% said they use the water to bathe, and 82% said they did try the water when the tanks were first implemented but were quickly repelled.

These results could possibly be due to the small survey size and parameters however this was a fairly accurate representation of the University as a whole. Most cited the taste and sometimes colour of the water being off-putting “If the water is okay it will taste okay.” Exclaimed Suma Mani, a Ph.D. student. Multiple people said they have heard of people using the water tanks yet have never come across those that actually have.

When asked if the University was more transparent about where this water came from would they potentially begin using it, 93% said they would not. Arguing that they have lost trust in the University to deliver what they promise. Those who chose to drink the water said that it was mainly due to the ease of access, convenience and to save money.

When asked where they accessed water all said they bought from either Pick ‘n Pay, Oasis or Spar, to name a few. Questioned if they were stranded on campus without water would they consider the Beige Tank water most rejected the idea. “I would rather go thirsty than drink that water,” chuckled Erik Gitonga, an Honours Student. It would appear only in the direst of circumstances would students turn to the drinking water tanks.

This extends to the Dining Hall water were out of the 172 that have access to the water only 72% drink it. There are conflicting results on the potability of the water found in the Dining Halls. A Vannessa Kekana, and Sasha Dias, the Environmental Representative of Victoria Mxenga and Goldfields Houses respectively, both did independent testing of the water within their respective Dining Halls and found both tested positive for Coliform Bacteria, a bacterium potentially found in faecal matter. However, this test was done in March and the results might have changed. These findings were contradicted by Simon Wright the head caterer of the university and Cleo Songwiqi head caterer for Kimberly Dining Hall.

Mr. Wright said, “The tanks were tested about a month ago […] Any area where the water has tested positive alternative water has been supplied.” Mrs. Songwiqi believes Wright was referring to Founders Hall. Wright also explained that the Beige 1000l tanks are filled with Makana water from the fire hydrants and that they are constantly treated with a product called One Drop. The water in the dining halls is supplied by rainwater that is filtered and boiled.

When asked about the mistrust over the taste of the water Wright commented, “The taste of Grahamstown water has always been different. Same as Port Alfred. It does not mean it’s unsafe for consumption. I’ve lived in Grahamstown for 14 years now and never been ill from drinking Grahamstown water.” However, students find it difficult to put their trust in a University and Municipality that have told them half-truths.