Residents in northern Pretoria have spent weeks battling foul, discoloured tap water with an overpowering “fishy” smell, raising growing concerns over water safety and public health. The issue, which began surfacing in May, has since escalated—impacting everyday life in suburbs including Montana, Sinoville, Annlin, and Doornpoort.
The problem appears to stem from the Montana Reservoir, a key water supply point for the region. The city has acknowledged elevated levels of certain chemical compounds in treated water—elements that can fuel algae growth and contribute to the unpleasant odour and taste. Despite these findings, many questions remain about what triggered the imbalance in the first place.
For many residents, the water quality is more than just inconvenient—it’s a daily burden. People describe it as smelling like “a fish pond” or “dam water,” and say the stench is so bad that it’s difficult to shower or do household chores. Some have resorted to testing their water at home, finding that while chemical levels may fall within acceptable standards, the smell is still intolerable.
Complaints have flooded in since May, prompting city authorities to temporarily switch the water supply from the Roodeplaat treatment plant to another provider in an attempt to restore quality. That change brought temporary relief—but the problem soon returned, sparking frustration over what some see as a lack of accountability and urgency.
While the city has promised to investigate and address the issue, many residents say communication has been poor, with vague updates and no clear timeline for resolution. Calls for transparency have grown louder, with community leaders demanding full disclosure on what went wrong, who is responsible, and what is being done to prevent it from happening again.
Some believe a more serious issue may be at play—possibly a contamination or spill affecting the water source. The lingering smell and recurring nature of the problem have only fueled those concerns.
As infrastructure is flushed and the treatment plant remains offline, the city has rerouted supply to ensure residents still have access to water. But confidence in the system has taken a hit. Residents argue they should never have been put in this position to begin with—and they’re demanding answers, not apologies.
“We’re paying for clean, safe water,” one resident said. “And yet, here we are—still showering in fish water.”
Until the full investigation is complete and lasting solutions are in place, communities across Pretoria North are left waiting, watching—and holding their breath each time they turn on the tap.