Tshwane lifts Pretoria CBD boil-water advisory as Moya apologises for delayed warning

The City of Tshwane has lifted its boil-water advisory for the Pretoria CBD and surrounding areas after laboratory tests confirmed that water supplied through Findlay Reservoir meets drinking water quality standards.

Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya announced on Saturday that the latest microbiological tests detected no E. coli or total coliform bacteria, allowing residents to resume normal use of their tap water without boiling it.

The advisory followed microbial contamination identified in groundwater supplied by the Fountains springs. The City isolated the affected groundwater source and switched the Pretoria CBD and surrounding areas to an alternative supply from Salvokop Reservoir.

Technical teams subsequently cleaned Findlay Reservoir, applied chlorine shock treatment to the affected distribution network and conducted further water-quality testing.

''Although the alternative supply was safe, the advisory remained in place as a precaution because contaminated water could still have been present in parts of the distribution network,'' said Moya.

Moya apologises for delayed warning

Moya commended the City's technical teams for their response but acknowledged that residents should have been informed sooner.

“In particular, the delay in communicating the initial boil-water advisory was unacceptable, and I sincerely apologise to affected residents,” she said.

She said the incident would be examined as part of the broader independent investigation initiated following the Bronkhorstspruit water crisis.

The investigation would look at the circumstances surrounding the Pretoria CBD contamination, including whether negligence occurred and why residents were not warned timeously.

“Where failures are established, appropriate corrective action and consequence management will follow,” Moya said.

Sewer pipe repairs continue in Groenkloof

Although the advisory has been lifted, work continues to repair the damaged sewer pipe in Groenkloof that caused the temporary contamination of groundwater from the Fountains springs. The groundwater supplies Findlay Reservoir alongside water from Rand Water.

Moya stressed that the incident was unrelated to the problems experienced in Bronkhorstspruit.

''The City will repair the sewer pipe and rehabilitate the affected section of the river. Once groundwater testing confirms that the contamination has been eliminated, the pipeline to Findlay Reservoir will be flushed before the groundwater supply is restored.'' she said. 

The City will continue routine water-quality monitoring to ensure drinking water meets the required standards and residents are informed of developments affecting their supply.

Moya also appealed to residents to use water sparingly and responsibly, avoid unnecessary wastage and report leaks as pressure on the City's water supply increases.

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za 

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