Authorities have warned residents in five Tshwane communities not to use their tap water after contamination left 408 people ill.
The warning remains in place on Tuesday, 20 October, as government investigates serious failures at the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works.
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina confirmed on Monday that the City of Tshwane supplied untreated water for three weeks without warning residents.
Children under four account for most of the reported illnesses.
WHICH TSHWANE AREAS ARE AFFECTED?
Authorities have identified five communities in Tshwane’s Region 7:
- Bronkhorstspruit
- Zithobeni
- Dark City
- Rethabiseng
- Sokhulumi
Residents must avoid using tap water for drinking, cooking, bathing, brushing their teeth or washing clothes.
Government has warned that boiling the water will not make it safe under the current advisory.
Residents may only use the affected water to flush toilets.
TESTS REVEAL DANGEROUS WATER CONTAMINATION
Majodina said investigators discovered that the municipality failed to chlorinate water between 24 September and 14 October.
The treatment plant draws water from the Bronkhorstspruit River, which receives sewage from malfunctioning wastewater infrastructure.
Tests on 14 October detected extremely high levels of E. coli and total coliform bacteria in water from the treatment works and nearby reservoirs.
Investigators also found that the municipality failed to warn residents about the unsafe water supply.
MORE THAN 400 PEOPLE FALL ILL
Health authorities recorded 408 cases of gastrointestinal illness between 7 and 18 October.
Patients reported diarrhoea and stomach cramps, prompting treatment at Bronkhorstspruit Hospital and surrounding clinics.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases detected norovirus, Campylobacter and Shigella in patient samples.
The tests found no cholera bacteria in the samples examined.
Authorities had not recorded any deaths by Monday evening.
WHEN WILL TSHWANE’S WATER BE SAFE?
The City of Tshwane restored chlorine supplies on 15 October and reopened the treatment plant the following day.
However, authorities have not declared the water safe for drinking.
The municipality has deployed emergency water tankers and plans to increase the fleet to 36 to supply affected communities.
The Water Research Commission will conduct independent water tests and investigate the contamination.
Government expects the investigation report by 28 October but has not announced when residents can safely use their tap water.
Majodina urged residents to discard previously stored water, disinfect containers and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms.