Report Reveals Only 46% of the Water in South Africa Is Drinkable, SA Unfazed
- South Africa's water quality has decreased, according to a report released by the Department of Water and Sanitation
- The department released the Blue and No Drop Water Report, which surveyed water quality over the past decade
- The report revealed that only 46% of the water is drinkable and this is despite the government pumping billions to ensure the water system improves
- The Department of Water and Sanitation responded to Briefly News and defended itself
Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News's current affairs journalist, offered coverage of current affairs and societal issues during his seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.
Source: Getty Images
The Blue and No Drop Water report shows South Africa's water quality has drastically dropped. The Department of Water and Sanitation released the report after 10 years and it paints a grim picture. The report shows that there has been a decline in drinking water quality and it revealed that most wastewater treatment works are at risk of producing contaminated water.
Report reveals water quality dropped
According to eNCA, only 46% of the water in the country is fit for consumption. The report itself revealed that despite having to spend more than R20 billion per annum to improve municipalities' infrastructure, among other things, water services are still decreasing.
The report further revealed that water quality in major metropolitan areas is better than in the rest of the country. Factors such as a lack of skilled staff and improper process controls were cited for decreased water quality.
Department of Water and Sanitation speaks to Briefly News
Briefly News spoke to the Department, which defended itself.
"The main cause of the decline in water services is poor maintenance and operation by municipalities – which must be funded by revenue from the sale of water by municipalities to customers- DWS and COGTA (Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs) are repeatedly providing municipalities with grants to repair infrastructure, which is not maintained by the municipalities. These systems deteriorate again rapidly, and then funding needs to be provided again.
"The national government cannot decide to prioritise maintenance and operation funding on behalf of municipalities – these decisions must be made by municipal Councils," the Department said.
SA is surprised the country still has water
South Africans on Facebook were unsurprised and commented that nothing the government does is right and were not stunned that the water supply was in poor condition.
Brian Townsend said:
“Ever since Mandela left office, the ANC has shown a decline in performance and has constantly been dropping ever since. I’m amazed we still have water.”
Eunice Phajane wrote:
“Imagine, only 46% of our water is consumable.”
Thamsanqa Macu asked:
“So I must boil water before drinking?”
Katleho James exclaimed:
“Blue drop, no drop and green drop. It’s a mess in nearly all municipalities. No accountability, no reporting, nothing.”
Khanyisa Gusha was worried.
“I hope there won’t be any cholera cases. We haven’t recovered from what happened in Hammanskraal.”
Martin Troskie:
“Decline? It’s more like yet another criminal destruction of infrastructure. All thanks to his uselessness, Cyril Ramaloota.”
Thabo Pitso wrote:
“We are paying the price of voting for incompetent government. South Africa is becoming a failed state.”
Eugene Khoza slam Cyril Ramaphosa
Similarly, Briefly News reported that comedian Eugene Khoza slammed President Cyril Ramaphosa after he launched a tap in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
This was after Ramaphosa went viral for posing with a tap that was part of the Bhekindoda water scheme launch. Ramaphosa's launch mortified South Africans, who were speechless that Ramaphosa had launched a tap.
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Source: Briefly News
