Overview
- City records and Department of Water and Sanitation briefings show the plant stopped dosing chlorine from 24 September to 14 October, allowing unchlorinated, sewage-polluted water into the supply.
- Health services reported 595 cases of acute gastrointestinal illness between 7 and 19 October, including 262 children under five, with laboratory tests finding norovirus, campylobacter, shigella and sapovirus in patient samples.
- The Water Research Commission’s independent sampling finds some improvement since chlorination resumed on 16 October but confirms tap water is still unsafe and restricted to toilet flushing while repairs continue.
- Rand Water was engaged to rehabilitate and temporarily run the Bronkhorstspruit works, the plant was decommissioned for cleaning and repairs, and 36 tankers plus private deliveries are supplying emergency drinking water.
- Multiple accountability steps are under way: the plant manager is suspended, the Public Protector has opened an investigation, DWS has opened a criminal docket against the City of Tshwane, and a WRC report is due on 28 October.