GAUTENG. – The City of Tshwane has warned residents and businesses in parts of Pretoria to boil tap water after tests on 21 October detected microbiological contamination in water from the Findlay reservoir. The city has isolated the affected water source and switched the water supply to the central business district and surrounding areas to the Salvokop reservoir.
According to the City's statement, the contamination was caused by an unexpected sewage pipe break through which contaminated water entered the water supply system. The existing chlorination was not sufficient to manage the elevated microbial levels. The City has emptied the Findlay reservoir and begun flushing the affected pipe network. Water tankers will also supply drinking water to affected communities, with details on locations to be provided to residents. The City emphasises that the incident is not related to the ongoing water crisis in Bronkhorstspruit.
The affected areas are Arcadia, Asiatic Bazaar, Asiatic Bazaar Extension One, Belle Ombre 636-JR, Cape Boys' Location, Daspoort 319-JR, Elandspoort 357-JR, Marabastad, Phillip Nel Park, Pretoria, Pretoria Central, Pretoria Extension One, Pretoria Extension Nine, Pretoria Extension Eleven, Pretoria Extension Fourteen, Pretoria Town and Townlands 346-JR, Pretoria and Townlands 351-JR, Pretoria and Tshwane, Prinshof 349-JR, Skougronde 648-JR, Sunnyside and Trevenna.
Residents must boil tap water at a rolling boil for at least one minute and then allow it to cool before drinking, using it to prepare food or brushing teeth. Stored tap water and ice made from the water must be discarded. Unboiled tap water must not be drunk or used to prepare food. The precautionary measure remains in force until further tests confirm that the water is safe.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
