tap water
21 April 2006
Because of the serious concern by the Ministry and the Department of Water
Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) about some media reports of worms and rat-tailed
maggots allegedly found in drinking water in some areas of the country, a
thorough investigation has been launched and the following results can already
be shared with the public:
Scope of the problem
This morning some newspaper reports created the impression that these
maggots are gushing out of thousands of taps right across the country. Such
cases were only reported in a handful of houses out of the millions served on a
daily basis and upon investigation at these premises, no evidence could be
found that these creatures actually came from a tap. In the one case in Gauteng
(Brakpan), the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Ekurhuleni Metro and
ERWAT officials opened the water meter, which has a small filter designed to
take out foreign material and if these allegations were true, the filter should
have been clogged with worms and maggots. This filter came out perfectly
clean.
Investigations
DWAF, as well as the responsible municipalities (Cape Town City Council,
Durban Metro, Ekurhuleni Metro, Msunduzi Local Municipality) and water boards
such as Rand Water, Umgeni Water and ERWAT undertook independent audits of the
drinking water within the reported areas. To date, the on-site investigations
and interactions has shown that both environmental health practitioners and the
public has not personally witnessed rat tailed maggots coming from drinking
water out of a tap (i.e. they have been seen near a tap (sink, shower
floor/pipe work, drain, bath, toilet) but they are not sure where they came
from.
Again drinking water tested from these taps were found to be 100% compliant
with all chemical and biological standards set by DWAF and indicated no
contamination of drinking water. This brought us to the conclusion that
the presence of the rat-tailed maggots in the close vicinity of a point of
water supply is not indicative of the quality of the drinking water
supplied.
Thus, the Department wishes to assure the South African public that initial
tests around these areas proved that drinking water is not contaminated with
organic matter which is critical for the existence of these
maggots.
Further discussions with scientists, based on proven scientific evidence and
not merely speculation as expressed by some, confirmed that these maggots live
in water where anaerobic conditions exist and organic matter is in abundance.
Some other areas where these maggots thrive are under debris and equipment,
behind walls, open septic tanks, unkempt yards, as well as areas where there is
stagnant water. It may be found in private storage tanks where such storage
tanks are not clean and open for infestation. All scientists confirmed that
these maggots cannot be found in the treated water of a municipal distribution
system.
In summary, the Department wishes to repeat what it has stated many times over
that the delivery of water in the areas affected by this story is from
reputable bodies such as Rand Water, City of Cape Town and Umgeni Water. These
institutions have good and proven records with regards their Drinking Water
Quality Management. The Department works closely with these bodies and is
confident of their capacity to deliver clean drinking water which they have
done consistently over a long period of time.
Once again, the Minister wishes to restate that the quality of drinking
water in South Africa compares well with the best in the world.
Enquiries:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 885 8317
Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
21 April 2006
