Joburg Water lifts water alert in Bezuidenhout Valley after testing

Johannesburg Water has lifted a precautionary water quality alert in Bezuidenhout Valley after laboratory tests confirmed that tap water in the affected properties meets the required safety standards.

The water entity had warned residents not to drink or use tap water while awaiting test results to establish whether the supply was safe.

The alert followed repairs to a damaged water pipeline at the corner of 6th Street and 8th Avenue, which were completed on Wednesday.

Johannesburg Water said the pipeline was damaged when a tree stump fell on it during excavation work by a contractor replacing a sewer pipe.

The affected properties are along 8th Avenue, at the intersections of 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th streets.

Laboratory tests confirm water is safe
In a statement, Johannesburg Water confirmed that water samples collected on October 23 and 25 from the affected properties met the required water quality standards for microbiological and chemical parameters.

“The follow-up samples collected on October 25 were taken as an additional precaution to verify water quality,” the entity said.

Both sets of results were compliant, prompting the lifting of the precautionary alert.

The entity added that its technical team would arrange to restore the water supply as soon as practically possible.

Residents in the affected properties may resume normal water use, including drinking, cooking and other household activities.

Johannesburg Water has also urged residents to flush their internal plumbing systems by running their taps briefly to clear any water that may have remained in the pipes during the restriction.

The entity apologised for the inconvenience and thanked affected residents for their patience and co-operation during the sampling and testing process.

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Bronkhorstspruit water crisis reaches 833 cases
The development comes as the number of reported gastrointestinal illness cases linked to contaminated water in Bronkhorstspruit has risen to 833.

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina confirmed the latest figures, with three residents remaining in hospital.

Hundreds of people fell ill in Bronkhorstspruit and surrounding communities between October 7 and 18.

The outbreak has been linked to inadequately chlorinated water supplied by the Bronkhorstspruit water treatment works, leaving residents ill, with some requiring hospitalisation.

The treatment works has since been closed, with affected communities relying on water tankers for their supply.

The City of Tshwane has also suspended the manager of the Bronkhorstspruit water treatment plant, while an independent investigation into the incident is under way.

The City also lifted a boil-water advisory for Pretoria’s central business district after laboratory tests confirmed that the water was safe to drink.