25 February 2009
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry would like to re-assure South
Africans that the country's tap water is safe to drink.
The department acknowledges that the water might at times not meet the
required technical standard, according to our management systems (electronic
water quality management and drinking water quality regulation). However we
must clarify that this in no way means the water in these towns is not safe for
human consumption.
Drinking water quality management is the responsibility of municipalities,
and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, has an oversight and
regulatory role on the quality of tap water. We have implemented a country wide
system to assist with the overall management of drinking water quality.
On average 3 000 samples are taken nationwide from water supply systems, and
the latest results indicate that on average 94% of the analyses complied with
the health aspects of the national standard for drinking water quality. Our
monthly reporting indicates that 98% of all samples taken comply with the
health aspects as listed in of SANS 241: 2006.
The department has already commenced with its incentive based regulation
programme, the Blue Drop Certification Programme, with the objective of
awarding excellent drinking water quality management in different towns. A
secondary objective is also to allow the general public to be adequately and
responsibly informed on the regulatorâs confidence levels in drinking water
quality management levels per service system (town/city). First assessments in
all nine provinces were completed and final audits and assessments have
commenced to inform the inaugural public report in May 2009.
In conclusion, the department wants to reiterate its commitment to ensuring
that all South Africans are served with the highest quality drinking water. Our
national standard compares well with the World Health Organisation's limits
(which have been adopted as standards for the European Union and other
developed countries, including United Kingdom (UK), Canada and Australia).
In spite of the many challenges we have to face it is encouraging to note
that we do have water service systems which record similar compliance levels as
the counterparts in developed countries.
Enquiries:
Linda Page
Media Liaison
Tel: 012 336 8250
Cell: 083 460 4482
Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
25 February 2009
Source: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (http://www.dwaf.gov.za)
