Beware bogus water agents

A warning has been issued by Joburg Water telling residents not to be conned by fakes posing as its agents, who want access to your property to check the water.
RESIDENTS have been warned to be cautious of fake agents pretending to be Joburg Water (JW) employees.

Joburg's tap water is of highest qualityJoburg's tap water is of highest qualityAccording to Baldwin Matsimela, Joburg Water's marketing and communications manager, the utility's laboratory received calls from concerned residents complaining about agents claiming to represent Joburg Water who wanted to test the quality of water in their homes.

“It should be pointed out that water samples in the City are taken by qualified scientists with JW identity cards and branded vehicles,” he said.

For two consecutive years, Joburg Water has received Blue Drop Awards for the high quality of its tap water, from the national Department of Water Affairs. “The status confirms the City of Joburg as the number one provider of the cleanest, healthy and refreshing water of the highest quality in the country.”

Samples
Matsimela explained that to maintain the quality of water, more than 500 drinking water samples were taken each month. “Tap water samples are taken from bulk supply to reservoirs across the city, including samples from informal settlement areas."

These samples were tested at its Cydna Laboratory. The laboratory is accredited with the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS), a national accreditation body that gives formal recognition that laboratories, certification bodies, inspection bodies, proficiency testing scheme providers and good laboratory practice test facilities are competent to carry out specific tasks.

Matsimela said that through this thorough testing and monitoring process, Joburg Water was able to respond quickly to any water quality problem and ensure that the quality of every drop of water that passed through its network was well within the South African Bureau of Standards.

He encouraged residents to alert relevant security agencies should they be approached by unidentified and suspicious agents. “We seriously care for our customers and we do not want one of them to fall into this catch,” he said.