The City of Tshwane has welcomed the donation of a 36,000-litre water tanker from Coca-Cola to help provide water to residents in Bronkhorstspruit and surrounding areas, where a water contamination crisis has left tap water unsafe for household use.
The crisis was linked to failures at the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Plant, where water was supplied without chlorination between 24 September and 14 October 2026 following problems involving the City’s chlorine supplier. Water-quality tests detected high levels of E. coli and other bacteria, and authorities linked the contaminated supply to an outbreak of gastrointestinal illnesses. More than 800 people had reportedly been affected by 26 October.
The treatment plant has been temporarily shut down to allow for cleaning, disinfection and the installation of equipment. The City is working with Rand Water to address the problems and restore a safe water supply, but a date for the return of safe tap water has not yet been confirmed.
The mayor welcomed the support from the private sector as the municipality continues providing alternative water supplies to affected communities.
“This is a 36,000 litre water tanker that’s been donated by Coca-Cola to assist with the delivery of water to residents in Bronkhorstspruit and surrounding areas,” she said.
“We welcome the support shown by private sector stakeholders as the City and Rand Water make headway to restore water supply through the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Plant.”
According to the mayor, the tanker will be stationed at Bronkhorstspruit Hospital, Cultura High School and Riamar Park Shopping Complex.
Residents supplied by the affected treatment plant have been warned not to drink tap water or use it for cooking, bathing, brushing their teeth or other household purposes. The City has instructed residents to use tap water only for flushing toilets until officials confirm that it is safe. Safe drinking water is being distributed through tankers while remediation work continues.
