At least 408 people, mostly children under four, fell ill with stomach infections from tap water in parts of Tshwane in South Africa between 7 and 18 October, Daily Maverick reports in a GroundUp article. No deaths have been reported.
The water came from the Bronkhorstspruit treatment works, which draws on a river heavily polluted by sewage. Officials there did not chlorinate the supply from 24 September to 14 October and did not warn residents. Government tests found very high levels of E. coli.
Tshwane's mayor, Nasiphi Moya, blamed a stalled price dispute with the chlorine supplier and said officials had not told city leaders about the shortage; disciplinary action is under way. Chlorination has resumed but the water is still unsafe to drink, and residents rely on 36 tankers. The plant, more than 60 years old, has suffered years of breakdowns.
Source: Daily Maverick
