Bronkhorstspruit – The City of Tshwane has increased its water tanker fleet to 36 to supply safe drinking water to Bronkhorstspruit and surrounding communities after hundreds of residents fell ill following exposure to contaminated water.
Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya visited the affected area on Wednesday as the number of reported gastrointestinal illness cases rose to 433. Most of those affected are children under the age of four.
The outbreak has affected residents in Bronkhorstspruit, Zithobeni, Dark City, Rethabiseng and Sokhulumi in Tshwane’s Region 7.
The city has been criticised for failing to warn residents that their water was unsafe after a disruption to its chlorine supply left water from the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works untreated for weeks.
The City of Tshwane has increased its water tanker fleet to help residents in Bronkhorstspruit. Mayor Nasiphi Moya has visited the area, which has reported 433 cases of stomach illnesses linked to contaminated water. Tune in to #eNCA on #DStv403. https://t.co/qIioSUr8PL
— eNCA (@eNCA) October 20, 2026
Moya said the city had increased the number of tankers and introduced a schedule to ensure residents could access drinking water.
“We have now increased to 36 tankers. What we have done was to draft a schedule for each section,” she said.
She explained that some tankers had been stationed at key facilities, including clinics and schools, while others were moving through communities to distribute water.
The city is coordinating with ward councillors and local coordinators to help residents find out where to access water and whom to contact if supplies are not reaching their areas.
Moya said the schedule would be adjusted where necessary, including to accommodate residents who might not be at home during the day.
“We also need to watch out for those who may not be at home now, just to create a flexible schedule,” she said, adding that the city wanted its tankers to remain available into the evening.
City checks private water suppliers
Moya also raised concerns about private water tankers and alternative water sources, including boreholes and JoJo tanks, particularly those used by spaza shops.
She said the city was following up on private suppliers to ensure their water was properly tested and safe for consumption.
Residents of Tshwane, we have been alerted that residents have been visiting the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Plant. I want to appeal to residents not to visit the facility.
Rand Water has been brought on board to assist the City in upgrading and rehabilitating the plant. Crucial assessments are underway.
A key requirement of this work is that the facility must be treated as national key point. The security at the gate will not allow anyone to enter the facility without authorisation.
Our work in Region 7 continues.
@CityTshwane— Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) October 20, 2026
The warning comes as authorities continue working to restore a safe municipal water supply. Residents in affected areas have been advised not to drink tap water or use it for cooking, washing food or bathing, even if it has been boiled. Tap water should only be used for flushing toilets until the city confirms it is safe.
408 cases were recorded between 7 and 18 October. Laboratory tests detected several pathogens in patient samples, while water-quality tests found high levels of E. coli and other indicators of contamination.
The city has engaged Rand Water to provide technical support at the treatment works. However, officials have not yet given a firm date for when residents will be able to safely use their tap water again.
In the meantime, residents have been urged to collect drinking water from the city’s tankers and seek medical attention if they develop gastrointestinal symptoms.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: Pixabay
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
