Tourism across the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga is at risk as service delivery failures in the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality continue to cause sewage spills and unsafe water supplies. Key tourism towns including Lydenburg, Graskop, Sabie, and Pilgrim’s Rest are grappling with ongoing water contamination and sewage pollution, according to reporting from The Citizen on 18 September 2026 and corroborated by SABC News two days later.
Independent water tests conducted in Lydenburg reported dangerous levels of coliform bacteria and a complete absence of chlorine, signaling unsafe drinking water conditions. Alkalinity levels were also highlighted as concerning. Ferrial Adam, executive director of WaterCan, noted, “These results indicated the water was not safe for consumption.” Meanwhile, residents have reported sewage spilling onto streets and into local rivers, compounding the environmental and health risks posed to communities and visitors alike.
Tourism stakeholders warn that these problems extend beyond basic service delivery failures. Oupa Pilane, chair of the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association board, emphasised the broader impact, saying, “The lack of reliable water supply and the discharge of sewage into rivers are therefore not only service delivery problems, they are tourism and economic development problems.” The crisis threatens both local businesses that depend on tourism and the economic prospects of the region.
Efforts to mitigate the damage are ongoing but remain incomplete. A source quoted by SABC News explained, “The wastewater treatment plant is still not complete and as a result … sewage build up and back up in town, is still overflowing into the river.” This reflects persistent infrastructure challenges within the municipality.
The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency confirmed that it had yet to assess the full impact of these issues on tourism, with spokesperson Simphiwe Shungube stating, “The agency still needed to conduct an assessment to determine how the tourism sector was being affected by the sewage and water crisis.” This assessment will be critical in forming a response to protect one of Mpumalanga’s key economic sectors.
This crisis is not new. A 2022 court conviction revealed Thaba Chweu’s earlier failures and fines for sewage pollution and wastewater management problems. Despite this, the issues have persisted into 2026, with residents continuing to hold the municipality responsible for contaminated water and ongoing environmental damage.
While the exact scale of tourism losses, including job impacts and revenue declines, cannot yet be independently verified, the repeated reports from multiple credible sources affirm a serious and ongoing threat to the area’s visitor economy. The health implications for local communities and visitors remain a concern amid contaminated water supplies.
CapeFlats.co.za will continue monitoring developments in Thaba Chweu and the wider Panorama Route as authorities, tourism bodies, and residents seek urgent solutions to safeguard water quality and restore confidence in one of South Africa’s renowned tourist destinations.