Contamination concerns in Soweto: Residents resort to boiling tanker water
With fears of water contamination spreading and taps still dry in parts of Soweto, anxiety and uncertainty have become part of daily life for residents who now rely on tanker-delivered water, which many say must be boiled before it is safe to drink.
The concerns follow a recent 52-hour water shutdown to allow for maintenance on the Eikenhof water supply system, which authorities said was completed ahead of schedule. Despite this, water has yet to fully return to several areas, leaving households dependent on water tankers and neighbours for survival.
In Meadowlands, residents say they are increasingly alarmed by the quality of water supplied by tankers, adding that boiling it has become a necessary precaution before consumption. For many families, the prolonged disruptions have forced difficult choices just to meet basic needs.
“We are very scared for ourselves and the kids as well as our health hence we are boiling the water first. The other house with working pipes sometimes does supply us with water but sometimes they are moody and lock the gate and then we are left stranded. Sometimes we are forced to buy water at the garage, and we can’t afford it,” said one resident.
While frustration continues to mount in affected communities, Johannesburg Water has confirmed that water supply is gradually being restored following the completion of maintenance work.
The Star has previously reported that Johannesburg Water assured residents in Bezuidenhout Valley and parts of the Johannesburg CBD that recent tests showed no evidence of faecal contamination in tap water after complaints of a strong odour, with the utility increasing chlorine dosing and conducting ongoing monitoring to stabilise supply.
Recent coverage has also highlighted broader national concerns around water quality and accountability, including a deepening water contamination crisis in Polokwane, where ActionSA criticised municipal leadership for failing to address unsafe water and vowed to escalate the matter to the South African Human Rights Commission and the Public Protector amid public health fears and the deaths of children.
In a statement, Johannesburg Water said areas that are directly fed are expected to recover first, while communities supplied through reservoirs may still wait between three to five days before water flow fully stabilises.
"Johannesburg Water continues to monitor system levels and performance and may apply configuration changes to boost the systems where applicable," it said.
The utility further assured residents that relief measures remain in place during the recovery phase.
"Alternative water supply will continue to be provided to affected communities until normal water supply is fully restored, while the system is closely monitored during the recovery phase to ensure stability and safe operation."
The Star