Anonymous
How is the tone of the text below regarding water awareness in South Africa?
A new report by South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation paints a grim picture of the
quality of the country’s drinking water, and its water infrastructure. The Blue Drop Audit Report is
meant to ensure that water service authorities are held accountable for providing safe drinking
water. The audit report found that the quality of the country’s drinkable water is getting worse.
Nearly half (46%) of all water supply systems pose acute human health risks because of bacteria
or other pathogens in the drinking water supply. The report also found that more than two thirds
(67.6%) of all wastewater treatment works are close to failure. On top of this it showed that over
47% of all clean and treated water was lost through leaks, or could not be accounted for.
The national Blue Drop Risk Rating is an assessment focused on critical risk areas within water
services. It looks at water supply systems at a specific moment in time. This year’s report showed
that the overall risk had dropped from 52.3% in 2022 to 47.15% in 2023 after some water supply
systems made improvements and improved their risk category from critical or high to medium or
low risk. But this should not be celebrated. To achieve Blue Drop certification, water supply
2 answers
"Water scarcity is a growing concern in South Africa, with many regions facing severe droughts and water shortages. It is crucial that we raise awareness about the importance of water conservation and sustainable usage practices. Without immediate action, we risk facing a water crisis that could have devastating consequences for our environment and communities. It is time for all South Africans to come together and prioritize water conservation efforts to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come."
