Pretoria CBD tap water is safe again. Bronkhorstspruit's is not

You can drink tap water in the Pretoria CBD again without boiling it. The City of Tshwane lifted its boil-water advisory on Saturday, 24 October, after the latest lab tests on water from Findlay Reservoir found no E. coli or total coliform bacteria (IOL; EWN).

That does not apply to Bronkhorstspruit. Tap water there is still only safe for flushing toilets, and there is no date yet for when that will change (City of Tshwane; GroundUp).

Which Pretoria areas can use tap water normally again?

The lifted advisory covers the areas supplied by Findlay Reservoir. The City's original notice listed them, including (City of Tshwane):

• Pretoria Central and Pretoria Extensions 1, 9, 11 and 14
• Arcadia and Sunnyside
• Marabastad, Asiatic Bazaar and Cape Boys' Location
• Trevenna and Phillip Nel Park
• Daspoort, Prinshof, Elandspoort, Belle Ombre and Skougronde

The advisory had been in place since 22 October.

What caused the Pretoria CBD contamination?

A sewer pipe burst and let contaminated water into groundwater from the Fountains springs, which feeds Findlay Reservoir along with Rand Water supply (City of Tshwane). The City cut off that source, emptied and cleaned the reservoir, switched the area to supply from Salvokop Reservoir and shock-chlorinated the network (IOL).

Repairs to the damaged sewer pipe in Groenkloof are still under way. The City says the groundwater will only be reconnected once tests show the contamination is gone and the pipeline has been flushed (IOL).

Mayor Nasiphi Moya said the delay in warning residents "was unacceptable" and apologised. She said the incident will form part of the independent investigation set up after the Bronkhorstspruit crisis (IOL). The City says the two incidents are not linked (City of Tshwane).

Is Bronkhorstspruit water safe yet?

No. The City's latest notices say tap water must not be used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, bathing, washing clothes or washing fruit and vegetables. Boiling it does not make it safe (City of Tshwane; City of Tshwane).

The restriction covers Bronkhorstspruit and its suburbs, Zithobeni, Rethabiseng, Ekandustria, Ekangala, Dark City and communities in Thembisile Hani Local Municipality that get water across the border from the same plant (City of Tshwane).

The plant is now chlorinating again, and residents may smell strong chlorine in their taps. That smell does not mean the water is safe (City of Tshwane). Water and Sanitation director-general Sean Phillips said on 23 October that unchlorinated water may still be in the pipes and the system must be fully flushed first (SABC News).

Where do Bronkhorstspruit residents get safe water?

The City is supplying free water by tanker and aims for at least 15 litres per person per day. To request a tanker or report a missed delivery, call 012 358 9999 or 080 1111 556 with your name, street address, area and a nearby landmark. You can also report older, sick or disabled people who need help collecting water (City of Tshwane).

The City also says to throw out stored tap water and clean containers with soap and then household bleach before filling them with tanker water (City of Tshwane).

Who is investigating the Bronkhorstspruit crisis?

More than 400 people fell ill with gastrointestinal illness, most of them children under four, after water from the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works was not chlorinated (SAnews; GroundUp).

• The City: Moya suspended the plant manager on 23 October pending further investigation and commissioned an independent probe (IOL).
• The Public Protector: It will investigate complaints of maladministration and improper conduct against the City, lodged by EFF MP Omphile Maotwe and FF Plus regional leader Willie Spies. Its first step is to ask the City Manager for a formal response (SAnews).