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Clause 6.3.2 of the Strategic Framework for Water Services (RSA, 2003a) refers to the need to consider drinking-water quality as follows:
Potable water quality – Water supplied by water service providers that is intended to be used for drinking or domestic purposes (potable water) must be of a quality consistent with SANS 241 (Specifications for Drinking Water) as may be amended from time to time.
The ruling legal requirement for consideration with regards to the provision of drinking-water and the quality thereof is the reference to the use of SANS 241 (Specifications for Drinking Water) as the guideline for drinking-water quality. Specifications for Drinking Water, differs in a not inconsiderable manner from its long standing predecessors, SABS 241-2001 and SABS 241-1984, and is more closely aligned to the philosophy first introduced by the South African Water Quality Guidelines as published by DWAF (RSA, 1998e). SANS 241, specifies various classes of water in terms of physical, microbiological and chemical quality.
Various industries and Government sectors e.g. Local Municipalities as Water Services Authorities have the mandate and responsibility to conform to the Water Services Act (WSA) 108 of 1997, and also adhere to prescribed compulsory national norms and standards in accordance with Section 9 and 10 of the Act. The National Water Act (1998) aims to ensure the protection of water, the sustainable use of water and the equitable redistribution of water.
Access to safe drinking water is a basic human right and essential to people’s health. Safe drinking water that complies with the South African National Standard (SANS) 241 Drinking Water Specification does not pose a significant risk to health over a lifetime of consumption, including different sensitivities that may occur between life stages. Improving access to safe drinking water can thus result in tangible benefits to public health and every effort should be made to achieve a drinking water quality that complies with national safety standards. These entities are therefore obliged to do water quality monitoring.
Challenges
Despite constitutional provisions, the country is facing significant challenges in achieving its mandate in respect of the water and sanitation industry.
South Africa is facing a water crisis caused by insufficient water infrastructure maintenance and investment, recurrent droughts driven by climatic variation, inequities in access to water and sanitation, deteriorating water quality, and a lack of skilled human resources. This crisis is already having significant impacts on economic growth and on the well-being of everyone in South Africa.
The following challenges have been highlighted in the SA Water and Sanitation Master Plan:
- Over 3 million people still do not have access to a basic water supply service and 14.1 million people do not have access to safe sanitation.
- Only 64 % of households have access to a reliable water supply service
- 56% of waste water treatment works and 44% of water treatment works are in a poor or critical condition. 11% are dysfunctional
- More than 50% of South Africa’s wetlands have been lost, and of those that remain, 33% are in poor ecological condition
- Only 5% of agricultural water used is by black farmers
- 41% of municipal water does not generate revenue. 35% is lost through leakage
- Municipalities are losing about 1660 million m³ per year through non-revenue water. At a unit cost of R6/m³ this amounts to R9.9 billion each year
R33 billion more is needed each year for the next 10 years to achieve water security
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