Is tapwater still safe?

[mo_mia]

I'm closely related to the chief chemical engineer at Rand Water. When he and his family stop drinking unfiltered tap water, I will too.

 

[atomcrusher]

Soon the only thing our water will be good for is flushing toilets.

Just as every African country has experienced in post-colonial rule, SA will be no exception. It just may take a little longer to destroy the high standards that were inherited from those "bad old days".

Our water / power / waste disposal / road and general infrastructure / etc., WILL deteriorate rapidly over the next few years.

And referring to the quote above ... sadly, soon the contents of a just-used toilet bowl will be healthier than the municipal-supplied water that is used to flush it.

 

[zeb]

I'm closely related to the chief chemical engineer at Rand Water. When he and his family stop drinking unfiltered tap water, I will too.

Do me a favour and drop me a pm when it happens cause that's also the day I'll stop drinking water from a tap.

This fearmongering is so typical in all aspects of life these days. Don't eat this, don't drink that, don't move. Wilt away in a bubble

 

[dlk001]

What was the motivation behind removing the responsibility for ensuring potable water quality from the DWAF to individual municipalities? After all, the DWAF was doing a sterling job.

So, in your opinion, is it too little, too late again?

The motivation was much bigger than just the water sector. It’s a process that started in 1993 which involved definitions and functions of national, provincial and local government before our elections in 1994.

After formation of our provinces, it was decided that provincial and local governments would regulate and oversee all activities of local government as agreed prior to 1994 elections. In 1997, a Water Services Act was promulgated which meant the role of DWAF changed from being a direct provider to being a sector leader, supporter and regulator.

The local government elections in 2000 represented the final phase in the local government transformation process. The SA Revenue Act (2002) also created the impetus for phasing out DWAF's role in the direct operation of water services. The Dept of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) was to oversee metropolitan, district and local municipalities services (public works, electricity, water etc).

This has resulted in improved delivery of free basic water to previously unserved and poor households, sanitation services, large scale meter installation, better revenue collection and control.

However, the transfer targets (from DWAF to Municipalities) were tight. As a result, the process did not anticipate the many decisions to be addressed to ensure sustainability. At the time, I thought the discussion document did not address the long-term technical and managerial implications of the transferred schemes.

 

[DavidJ]

No the tapwater we drink has 48 percent Cluohedriside and about 88 units of Calmin Doronin, which causes liver failure. I would suggest treating water sources with Polyeximal, a purification unit available from Sanitation suppliers.

That sounds like nonsense, but what is true is that our tapwater is known to contain dihydrogen monoxide, a substance so deadly that 100% of organisms who ingest it eventually die.

 

[Kuga]

I'm closely related to the chief chemical engineer at Rand Water. When he and his family stop drinking unfiltered tap water, I will too.

Yeah let us know till you?

 

[bodhi]

tap water tastes far more better than the bottled variety .

Still drinking tap here