The City of Tshwane has taken urgent action following widespread complaints of smelly and discoloured water being supplied from the Montana Reservoir. As a precaution, the metro has activated an alternative water supply system through Rand Water to ensure residents continue to have access to safe drinking water while investigations are underway.
According to a statement released by the City of Tshwane, technical teams have been deployed to identify the source of the odour and discoloration. The city confirmed that they are working around the clock to restore water quality and ensure the integrity of supply to affected areas.
“Technical teams are currently on-site and working to determine the cause of the odour. Once identified, corrective measures will be implemented to restore normal water quality to the reservoir,” read the official statement.
Tshwane Suburbs Impacted by the Water Issue
The water quality issue has impacted several northern suburbs of Tshwane, sparking concern among residents. Affected areas include:
- Cynthia Vale
- Doornpoort
- Wonderboom
- Hartebeestfontein
- Magalieskruin
- All extensions of Sinoville
In these areas, residents reported an unusual smell and discolouration in their tap water, prompting calls to the municipality and increased activity on community WhatsApp groups and social media pages.
Many residents voiced fears about the health implications of consuming or using the tainted water, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.
Spokesperson Selby Bokaba assured residents that the situation is being handled with urgency and care. He confirmed that the City of Tshwane has put safety first by switching to Rand Water’s backup supply, a move aimed at preventing potential health risks.
“Customers will be updated as soon as the cause has been determined and collective action has been confirmed. The City sincerely apologises for this unforeseen disruption of an essential service and pleads for customers’ patience and understanding during this period,” said Bokaba.
While the exact cause of the water contamination is still unknown, the city emphasized its commitment to transparency and promised to issue regular updates as more information becomes available.
Rand Water, South Africa’s largest bulk water supplier, is now playing a key role in stabilizing the situation. By providing water through its backup system, Rand Water has helped Tshwane maintain a continuous supply despite the challenges at the Montana Reservoir.
This swift intervention has prevented a complete shutdown of water services in affected areas and is being closely monitored to ensure that pressure and volume levels remain adequate during the switchover.
Water tankers have also been placed on standby and could be deployed if necessary, particularly in high-density areas or in case of emergency requirements.
This is not the first time that residents of Tshwane have raised concerns about water quality. Over the past few years, the city has faced intermittent issues related to infrastructure strain, water pressure fluctuations, and seasonal changes that affect water treatment plants.
However, the sudden and unexplained presence of smelly, discoloured water from a major reservoir like Montana has renewed calls for long-term investment in water infrastructure and better early-warning systems.
Community leaders have also urged the municipality to conduct public consultations and provide clearer communication to avoid panic and misinformation.
While the City of Tshwane continues its investigation, residents in affected areas are advised to take precautionary measures:
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Avoid drinking tap water until further notice or until confirmed safe.
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Boil water before using it for cooking or brushing teeth.
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Use bottled or filtered water for drinking and sensitive uses.
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Report any worsening of water quality to the City of Tshwane’s water services hotline or via the city’s official app.
In the meantime, the municipality is encouraging residents to stay informed by following official communication channels and not spreading unverified reports, which could cause unnecessary alarm.
As the situation develops, the City of Tshwane has reaffirmed its commitment to restoring full water quality as quickly as possible. The city emphasized that public health remains the highest priority and promised to hold any accountable parties responsible if negligence is found to be a contributing factor.
“We are doing everything in our power to resolve this issue and prevent it from happening again,” concluded Bokaba.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant, practice caution, and support one another as the City of Tshwane works through this disruption to an essential service.
Source- EWN
