The annual Blue Drop certification report recently published by the Department of Water Affairs rated Gauteng as the leading province in the delivery of safe and clean drinking water. The programme monitors the quality of municipal drinking water. The minimum rating is 50% while a score of 90% and above indicates excellent standards.
Gauteng achieved the top score of just over 95% in 2011, up from 86% in 2010. Seven out of the 32 water systems assessed in the province received the Blue Drop certification. Johannesburg performed best, achieving a score of 98%.
The Western Cape came second with a score of 94%, up from 92%. About 29 out of the 123 systems assessed there received the Blue Drop certification. Of these, Cape Town achieved the best score at 98%.
KwaZulu-Natal followed with 80%, up from 66%. Seven out of the 178 systems assessed received Blue Drop certification. Of these, the Ugu district municipality led with a score of 99%.
The Free State stood at 64%, up from 49%. Three out of the 76 systems assessed received Blue Drop certification. The Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality attained the best score, with 89%.
The Eastern Cape scored 77%, down from 79% in 2010. Five out of the 163 systems assessed received Blue Drop certification. Of these, Buffalo City led, with a score of 91%.
Limpopo achieved a score of 64%, up from 55%. Five out of the 64 systems assessed received Blue Drop certification. Polokwane performed best, with 93%.
The North West scored 62%, down from 66%. Four out of the 43 systems assessed received Blue Drop certification. Of these, Tlokwe was the province’s best, with 97%.
The Northern Cape achieved a score of 62%, up from 47%. Two out of the 155 systems assessed received Blue Drop certification. The Frances Baard district municipality performed best, with 95%.
Mpumalanga achieved a score of 57%, down from 65%. Eight out of the 80 systems assessed received Blue Drop certification. The Steve Tshwete local municipality performed best, with 97%.
In total, 914 water supply systems in 162 municipalities were assessed and 66 Blue Drop certificates issued.
- Thuthukani Ndebele
