The City of Tshwane has issued a warning to the public, advising against using local rivers for activities like swimming and baptism due to high bacteria levels.

According to Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health, Tshegofatso Mashabela, the recent water quality monitoring has detected elevated levels of bacteria in local rivers.

As a result, she said, the public is strongly advised to avoid using rivers for recreational, cultural and religious activities, such as swimming and baptismal ceremonies.

Mashabela said high concentrations of bacteria in river water pose serious risks to both human health and threaten aquatic life.

For humans, exposure can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, as well as nausea, she said.

“Humans may also contract diseases resulting in health complications,” Mashabela said.

She noted bacteria is toxic to fish and other organisms, depleting oxygen levels and disrupting ecosystems.

Bacteria in rivers typically stem from human and industrial activities, including faecal runoff, agricultural waste, and untreated sewage discharge, she said.

Other sources include industrial effluents, chemical releases, and decomposition of organic matter in stagnant water.

Mashabela urged residents to avoid contact with river water, including swimming, bathing, or baptismal activities, to protect public health and safety.

“Do not collect water from rivers for household or religious use. Report illegal dumping of waste, sewage, or chemicals into rivers to municipal authorities. Practise water safety by using treated, potable water for drinking and domestic purposes,” she said.

The warning follows a recent typhoid outbreak in Tshwane, with 48 reported cases.

Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise assured residents there is no cause for alarm, stating the city’s treated water meets SANS 241 standards.

As of October 31, 2025, Tshwane reported 48 lab-confirmed typhoid cases, mostly in Hammanskraal and Bronkhorstspruit, up from 35 cases last year.

Modise said: “Health authorities have confirmed that the reported cases are not linked, and investigations into possible sources of infection are continuing. Daily water-quality testing is being conducted across the city’s network and through independent laboratories. To date, no Salmonella typhi bacteria have been detected in any municipal or tanker-supplied water samples.” 

Municipal spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said drinking water samples from affected areas have not established a link to the typhoid cases. 

“No Salmonella typhi was found in any drinking water sources,” he said, adding investigations are ongoing to determine the root cause.

The city further advised residents to take precautions by practising good hygiene, including regular handwashing with soap and clean water, storing drinking water safely, and avoiding untreated water from rivers or boreholes for domestic use.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za

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