Tshwane lifts Pretoria CBD boil-water advisory after new tests

Pretoria CBD water has been cleared for normal use after the City of Tshwane lifted its boil-water advisory on Saturday, 24 October.

According to the City’s official statement, laboratory tests on water supplied through Findlay Reservoir found no detectable E. coli or total coliform bacteria, confirming compliance with drinking-water quality standards.

City of Tshwane confirms Pretoria CBD water is safe to drink. @CityTshwane https://t.co/WVPapFGKGM

Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) October 24, 2026

Residents in Pretoria’s CBD and surrounding areas supplied by the reservoir may now use tap water without boiling it, the City said.

How the contamination was addressed

The advisory followed microbial contamination identified in groundwater supplied by the Fountains springs. The City isolated the affected source and switched the area to an alternative supply from Salvokop Reservoir.

Technical teams cleaned Findlay Reservoir, applied chlorine shock treatment to the affected distribution network and conducted further testing. The precautionary notice remained in place while contaminated water could still have been present in parts of the network.

City of Tshwane confirms Pretoria CBD water is safe to drink. @CityTshwane https://t.co/WVPapFGKGM

Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) October 24, 2026

The City says a damaged sewer pipe in Groenkloof caused the temporary contamination. Repairs are continuing, and groundwater will only be returned to the pipeline after tests confirm the contamination has been eliminated and the pipeline is flushed.

Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya acknowledged delays in warning residents, calling the communication delay ‘unacceptable’ and adding: ‘I sincerely apologise to affected residents.’

An independent investigation will examine the circumstances, including possible negligence. The incident is separate from the Bronkhorstspruit water crisis, where GroundUp reported 595 cases of acute gastrointestinal illness between 7 and 19 October.

The City says routine water-quality monitoring will continue.