April 19, 2006
By Thuli Ntuli
THERE is no need to panic, tap water in Joburg is safe to drink and to use. This is the message from Joburg Water after the City's water utility conducted tests on tap water in the city.
The investigation followed complaints from residents about worms or maggots found in their tap water.
According to a press release from Joburg Water, the investigation proved that the city's water is safe and uncontaminated. Residents can continue to use the water and drink it.
Johannesburg Water routinely tests more than 500 drinking water samples a month. Tap water samples are taken from the bulk supply, Rand Water, from reservoirs and across the city, including in informal settlements.
The samples are taken to Johannesburg Water's Cydna Laboratory, which is accredited through the South African National Accredited System, where 41 determinants are tested and analysed.
"Through regular testing and monitoring processes, Joburg Water is able to respond quickly to any water quality problems," says Baldwin Matsimela, the acting senior manager for marketing and communications at Johannesburg Water.
"Recent rains have left many puddles of stagnant water īn which mosquitoes thrive; they lay their eggs [in the water] which develop into larvae that look like worms."
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