Emalahleni Municipality set records on water quality concerns after residents voice out
The municipality had recently confirmed that the latest laboratory results for final treated water showed that all critical parameters comply with the requirements of the SANS 241:2015 Drinking Water Standard, and the water was therefore deemed safe for drinking and use in food preparation.
The Emalahleni Local Municipality has issued a public notice acknowledging a temporary decline in water quality at the Witbank Water Treatment Plant, following weeks of mounting complaints from residents about murky, discoloured tap water.
This announcement comes after the Democratic Alliance (DA) in eMalahleni urged Municipal Manager Sizwe Mayisela to urgently investigate water quality in Ward 24.
Councillor Karien McDiarmid had stressed that the municipality was failing to uphold residents’ constitutional right to clean drinking water, citing reports of brown, sediment-filled water in Die Heuwel Proper.
Despite earlier assurances from the municipality that laboratory tests showed compliance with the SANS 241:2015 Drinking Water Standard, residents continued to raise concerns about contamination.
In an official statement, the municipality stated that the recent deterioration in water quality was caused by a malfunction in the sand filtration backwash system, pneumatic valves, and actuators.
The issue originated from oil ingress due to a failed air compressor, which disrupted the filtration process.
They further confirmed that the municipal teams are currently refurbishing the sand filtration components. The damaged compressor has already been replaced, a new blower is being installed, and procurement of malfunctioning actuators is underway.
READ MORE: eMalahleni residents warned of water discolouration
As of February 16, measurable improvements in colour, manganese, and turbidity levels have been recorded, though full stability is expected only once repairs to the backwash system are complete.
They further confirmed that residents may still experience discolouration of water at certain times of the day while the system stabilises.
The municipality has assured the public that ongoing water quality testing and analysis are being conducted to monitor compliance and ensure safe distribution.
Water update | The municipality assures that the brown water is safe for use
Read more here: https://t.co/QL4enj6TNH#witbanknews #witbank #waterupdate pic.twitter.com/Ovc3Le3T3G— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) January 22, 2026
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