Buffalo City Metro has lifted the boil-water advisory for most of East London and Mdantsane after laboratory results confirmed that water quality has returned to safe levels. The advisory was implemented last week after cable theft at the Umzonyana Water Treatment Works disrupted operations and raised fears of possible contamination. In a statement on Tuesday, the municipality said residents across East London and Mdantsane could now drink tap water without boiling it.
The exception is the West Bank, where the precaution remains in effect after two sample sites recorded marginally elevated operational failures. “These failures do not pose a direct health risk because harmful bacteria associated with waterborne illnesses were not detected,” the metro said. “But because the recorded levels were slightly above the national legislative limits, the precautionary advisory cannot yet be lifted.” Additional water testing in the West Bank was scheduled to continue throughout Tuesday, with another update expected on December 10 2025.
Until then, residents in the affected area must continue boiling water used for drinking, preparing food, brushing teeth and washing fresh produce. “Residents must remain cautious until an all-clear is issued,” the municipality said. They must ensure that nothing happens during the holidays, as we already have tourists.
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The boil-water advisory, issued late last week, caused widespread concern after water treatment processes at Umzonyana were interrupted. Most of the metro has now been cleared, but authorities stressed the importance of vigilance in the small section of the network where irregularities persisted.
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