eThekwini Municipality areas to face 24-hour water shutdown on Tuesday. Image: Adobe Stock
eThekwini Municipality areas to face 24-hour water shutdown on Tuesday. Image: Adobe Stock
Something in the water – again? Residents in several Cape Town suburbs have been warned that their municipal water might have a strange taste and colour on Sunday 9 May, but the City have clarified that this is simply the result of adjustments to a treatment plant and that the water is perfectly safe to drink.
The Brackenfell, Groenvallei, Kuils River and Stikland areas are said to be affected by the work being done at the nearby Blackheath Water treatment Plant, which was necessitated after the recent heavy rains in the Cape this week.
Water in several areas affected:
The City of Cape Town said in a statement on Saturday evening that residents should be aware of “possible taste and slight colour in water in the Brackenfell, Groenvallei, Kuils River and Stikland areas” and explained that this is the result of adjustments at the treatment plant on Saturday.
“The City’s Water and Sanitation Department had to adjust the water treatment process of its Blackheath Water Treatment Plant in the early hours of Saturday 8 May 2021 when it had to deal with the discolouration of the incoming water from the Kleinplaas balancing dam to the water treatment plant,” they said.
“The adjustment involved an increase of the coagulant dosage to the water coming into the treatment plant as a result of the recent heavy downpour which impacted the water quality in the Klein Plaas dam.”
Maintenance result of recent rains and fires
Last week, the City of Cape Town was forced to advise residents of the CBD and areas along the Atlantic Seaboard not to drink municipal water after reports of strange odours and taste were submitted, but in this instance, the City is satisfied that despite the odd colour and taste in the water, it is perfectly safe to drink.
They said that the reason for the work is largely due to darkened water entering the treatment plant as a result of the heavy rainfall and recent fires in the catchment areas.
“This adjustment is an Integral part of the water treatment process to remove and prevent discoloured water leaving the plant,” they said.
“The City would like to reassure the residents that it is attending to the matter and attempting to reduce the possible impact. Residents are advised that the water remains sale to drink, and the taste should return lo the standard expected shortly.”
