Joburg’s tap water is best in SA

There's no need to spend your hard-earned cash on bottled water in Jozi. Joburg Water was given a second Blue Drop award and rated best in the land.
ANOTHER Blue Drop award has been given to Joburg Water, which wins the status from the national Department of Water for the high quality of its tap water.

Blue DropThis is the second consecutive year that Joburg Water has received a Blue Drop.

The City came first in the rating process out of all metros and local authorities in the country, relegating Cape Town and Ekurhuleni to second and third spots, respectively.

“Johannesburg Water is encouraged by these awards and remains committed to improving the level of water across the city,” said an elated spokesperson, Baldwin Matsimela.

Blue Drop awards were made after the national department tested and assessed the quality of water from 914 water supply systems countrywide in 2010 and this year.

In total, 66 water supply systems in South Africa were awarded prestigious Blue Drop certificates after the assessment, the department said in its annual Blue Drop certification report.

Municipalities were evaluated on their management plans, regular data collection and drinking water compliance.

“Johannesburg is one of the few big cities in the world where you can drink water tap. There is no need for anyone to buy bottled water,” said Matsimela.

The City also featured in the top 10 metros and local authorities awarded Green Drop certification. Green Drop is a campaign that encourages municipalities to improve the quality of drinking water and waste water management.

Under the Green Drop certification programme, about 821 waste water treatment works. The number of systems that scored more than 50 percent increased from 216 in 2009 to 460 in 2011.

Johannesburg Water manages six wastewater treatment plants treating up to 930 million litres of sewage daily.