Tshwane water declared unsafe to drink after hundreds fall ill

Cases of stomach illness

595 cases, Oct 7 to 19

Health officials recorded 595 cases of gastrointestinal illness between Oct 7 and 19, including 262 children under five. No deaths were reported.

The Bronkhorstspruit treatment plant ran without chlorine for 21 days, from Sep 23 until inspectors shut it down on Oct 14. Water samples tested positive for E. coli.

Tests at a second plant, which supplies central Pretoria, also found E. coli above the national standard. Residents are told to boil tap water, and the area now gets water from Rand Water.

This is indefensible, especially the issue of chlorine.

— Nasiphi Moya, Tshwane mayor