UPDATE: Empangeni water safe for consumption
The municipality conducted tests to ascertain whether the discoloration was owing to the pipe burst, or stemmed from contamination from the reservoir.
UMHLATHUZE Municipality says tap water in Empangeni is now safe to drink.
This after fears on Tuesday that the murky water coming out of the taps could be contaminated.
Following numerous complaints, the municipality conducted tests to ascertain whether the discoloration was owing to the pipe burst, or stemmed from contamination from the reservoir.
City plumbers worked on a pipe burst in Hoopoe Street, Nyala Park, the previous night.
On Tuesday afternoon municipal officials revealed the tests showed the cause to be low reservoir levels, and announced water interruptions between 3pm and 4am on Wednesday morning for Empangeni residents.
Residents were advised to avoid consuming tap water in the interim while the reservoir was purified.
City of uMhlathuze Communications Manager, Mdu Ncalane, has since confirmed the issue had been addressed.
‘The problem has been resolved and the water has been safe to drink since Tuesday night,’ he said.
