PRETORIA - The City of Tshwane has been blasted for failing to warn residents that their water was unsafe.
An investigation found that water from the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works (BWTW) was unchlorinated from 24 September to 14 October after the city experienced issues with its chlorine supplier.
Water and Sanitation Minister, Pemmy Majodina, revealed this at a meeting on Monday.
Majodina, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, and Tshwane officials provided an update on the gastrointestinal illness affecting children and communities in Bronkhorstspruit, Pretoria East.
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More than 400 cases have been reported in the area since early this month. Most of those affected are under the age of four.
Majodina said corroborated water quality tests found extremely high levels of E. coli and total coliforms in the water emanating from the treatment plant.
‘The BWTW abstracts water from the Bronkhorstspruit River, which is badly contaminated with sewage pollution from upstream dysfunctional wastewater treatment works (WWTW) under Victor Khanye Municipality as well as from dysfunctional CoT sewage pump stations.'
Majodina said City officials failed to warn residents about the poor water quality as required by the 2025 Compulsory Standards for Water Services issued under the Water Services Act.
'As part of DWS' regulatory function, necessary accountability steps have been initiated against those responsible for the water pollution and adherence to norms and standards governing provision of water and sanitation.'