As a safety precaution residents are urged to boil their water before consumption if it appears to be discoloured.
This according to the City of Cape Town following the temporary discolouration of water as result of proactive maintenance on the bulk-water network, which required that parts of the system be shut off to facilitate repairs.
The system has been successfully recommissioned, and the City is receiving reports from multiple areas that discolouration of tap water is clearing in the eastern and central parts of the metropole.
Areas in the central and eastern regions affected on Thursday (17 October) included: Strand, Macassar, Khayelitsha, Grassy Park, Lansdowne, Belthorn Estate, Lentegeur, Lotus River, Claremont, Pelikan Park, Portland, Philippi, Crawford, Ikwezi Park and Primrose Park.
To ensure the safest quality water in compliance with SANS241 standards, the City is conducting ongoing water sampling and will provide an update once the next round of results are available today (Friday 18 October).
All the aesthetic qualities of the drinking water are also being tested to ensure that it is clear and palatable for consumers.
Residents are advised to:
• Boil discoloured tap water for one minute and leave it to cool naturally before consumption.
• Residents who are unable to boil their water can mix 1 teaspoon of unperfumed household bleach in 20-25 litres of water and let it stand for at least two hours before using it.
• Always store purified water in clean, covered containers.
Should the discolouration continue, residents must report it to one of these channels so that further samples can be taken:
• WhatsApp 060 018 1505
• Call 0860 103 089
• Online www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests
• Email water@capetown.gov.za
• SMS 31373 (Maximum 160 characters)
• Visit a City walk-in centre (see www.capetown.gov.za/facilities to find the one closest to you)
