Tests confirm Diepsloot water is contaminated

Don't drink the tap water!

Water in the majority of Diepsloot was shown to be contaminated following the results of a third water test, the City of Johannesburg said on Tuesday.

“The only area which is safe at this point is Diepsloot West.

“The Diepsloot West pumps will therefore be opened for normal use later tonight [Tuesday],” said spokeswoman Millicent Kabwe in a statement.

Water tankers and task teams were to be deployed throughout Diepsloot with priority given to the elderly, children and the disabled.

Kabwe said officials were working to restore drinkable water to the rest of Diepsloot as soon as possible.

Residents were notified by the city on Friday to not drink the tap water. Three tests were conducted on the water in the area.

• The DA says the tap water may have been contaminated by sewerage due to a maintenance accident.

"Contractors working on a sewerage line out of Diepsloot damaged a water main, creating a strong risk that the water supply would become contaminated," the party's Marti Wenger, MP, said in a statement yesterday.

In a statement at the weekend, the city said residents could make use of mobile water tankers or two water tankers in extension 2 and 7, situated next to the clinics.