Some municipalities not upfront about the quality of their drinking water

In terms of the South African national standard for drinking water specification, municipalities have an obligation to inform their residents if the water they provide is below acceptable standards.

Goza Primary School in Soweto has been fighting for six years for access to safe drinking water on its premises, despite several promises by the Gauteng Department of Education to resolve the crisis. Picture: Abigail Javier/Eyewitness New

Thabiso Goba & Alpha Ramushwana | 06 June 2023 18:45

JOHANNESBURG – The Water and Sanitation Department on Tuesday revealed that some municipalities weren’t informing residents that their water may not be safe to drink.

The department released the Blue, Green, No Drop reports that showed a significant decline in the country’s water quality management.
The reports were presented during a media briefing held at the government’s communications offices in Pretoria.

In terms of the South African national standard for drinking water specification, municipalities have an obligation to

inform their residents if the water they provide is below acceptable standards.
Water that does not meet the SANS 241 minimum standards is deemed a possible health risk.