Bronkhorstspruit water still unsafe to drink, even if it looks clean
Tshwane says Bronkhorstspruit tap water is still unsafe after low E. coli levels were found during cleaning. The plant restarted on 2 November, but no date for safe water has been given.
Bronkhorstspruit's tap water is still not safe to drink, even where it runs clear. Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya said on Tuesday that tests have picked up a low level of E. coli, and residents must not use the water until the city declares it safe (The Citizen).
Why is the water still unsafe if the plant has restarted?
The Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works was switched back on at 14:30 on Monday, 2 November, but only to send treated water to the Ekandustria reservoir for shock chlorination, not to taps (The Citizen).
Moya said tests found low levels of E. coli in water flushed out while the clear water system was being cleaned. Disinfection will be repeated until lab tests show the contamination is gone (The Citizen).
"This does not automatically mean that water is ready for consumption," she said, adding that the reservoirs and pipe network must also be disinfected and lab results must meet drinking water standards (The Citizen).
What has been fixed so far?
| Date | Work done |
|---|---|
| 28 October | Second phase of the treatment works commissioned for flushing and disinfection |
| 29 October | Further treatment and chlorination, including disinfecting the clear water system |
| 2 November, 14:30 | Plant recommissioned to feed the Ekandustria reservoir for shock chlorination |
| Done | Cleaning of the two Zithobeni reservoirs (30 million and 15 million litres) |
Source: Mayor Nasiphi Moya's update, via [The Citizen](https://www.citizen.co.za/news/bronkhorstspruit-water-remains-unsafe-to-drink-despite-rehabilitation-progress/
Rand Water, which is helping the city, found heavy sludge build-up in tanks, flotation units and filters, plus problems with pumps, filtration equipment, maintenance and spare parts (The Citizen).
What still has to happen before water is safe?
Moya listed the remaining steps (The Citizen):
- final shock chlorination and valve installation at the Zithobeni reservoirs
- more flushing, using fire hydrants and distribution scours at Ekandustria because its reservoirs have no scouring valves
- lab tests confirming the water meets drinking standards
After clearance, reservoirs must refill and pipes must repressurise, so supply will return gradually, not all at once (The Citizen).
When will Bronkhorstspruit have safe water again?
No date has been given. Moya said the city expects much of the outstanding work to be done "over the coming days", subject to technical processes and water quality checks (The Citizen).
She also said the plant, which is more than 60 years old, has not produced water fit to drink since October 2024 (The Citizen).
What should residents do in the meantime?
Don't drink tap water, even if it looks clean, until Tshwane officially says it is safe (The Citizen). Use water from city tankers or bottled water, and follow the City of Tshwane and its official social media accounts for the all-clear.
FAQ
Is Bronkhorstspruit water safe to drink now?
No. As of 3 November 2026 Tshwane says the water has not been declared safe, even where it looks clean.
Why is it still unsafe?
Tests found low levels of E. coli in water flushed during cleaning, and reservoirs and pipes still need disinfection and lab clearance.
When will safe water return?
No date has been given. The mayor said much of the work should be done in the coming days, and supply will return gradually.