In response to the ongoing water crisis affecting the City of Tshwane, Mayor Nasiphi Moyo has announced that efforts are underway to address the discoloured water issues plaguing residents in Bronkhorstspruit and surrounding areas.
On Monday, IOL reported on the plight of residents from Bronkhorstspruit and neighbouring communities such as Rethabiseng, Zithobeni, Thembisile Hani Municipality (Nkangala District), Ekangala, and Ekandustria.
Many have expressed their frustration and fear over the quality of their water supply, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
According to reports, the water supply system in Bronkhorstspruit begins with the abstraction of raw water from the Bronkhorstspruit River, which is then sent to the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works (BWTW) for purification. However, issues within this system have led to the current crisis.
During a meeting with the water bulk section on Tuesday, Mayor Moyo revealed that ongoing challenges have hampered the purification process.
She stated, “We are still pumping dirt from the raw water intake,” emphasising the urgency of the situation.
She noted that the service provider is expected to complete repairs on a second pump by the end of this week.
“One pump is insufficient to service the entire area, particularly the high-lying regions like Rethabiseng and Nkangala, which frequently face supply issues and rely heavily on water tankers,” she explained.
Moyo detailed that using two pumps would enhance the water supply to these affected areas. She also addressed the ongoing repairs to the pipeline serving Thembisile Hani Municipality, which had previously suffered a burst.
“The repairs have been made, and we are actively communicating with the team on site,” she added.
Regarding the Thembisile Hani pipeline repairs, the mayor indicated that engineers are still working to fix leaks around Ekandustria.
“There has been progress, although the expected timeline for final maintenance has not yet been provided,” she said.
To monitor improvements, Moyo explained that the city conducted a water quality assessment, which showed significant enhancement.
“We are committed to addressing the outstanding areas where water challenges persist. I will authorise the teams to verify and conduct further assessments,” she said.
To keep the public informed, Moyo said that the municipality had uploaded evidence of improvements to its service delivery portal, demonstrating the city’s ongoing efforts to scour the water system in Tshwane.
As Moyo committed to addressing the matter, the situation remains critical. Still, Moyo said continued efforts will be essential to ensure safe and reliable water access for all affected communities.
On Monday, city spokesperson Lindela Mashego said that the tender to refurbish the plant to cater to fluctuations in raw water quality is currently in the final design stages.
“We anticipate that the open tender to invite potential suppliers will be advertised, with actual construction expected to commence in the last quarter of 2026,” said Mashego.
IOL News