The framework was approved by Cabinet in January. "This framework is a
groundbreaking initiative to ensure that there is sufficient water in
both quality and quantity. Water availability and quality have been
negatively affected by illegal abstraction of water, water pollution
and poor management of resources," she said. She added that if remedial
action was not taken Gauteng could experience water shortages from 2013
to 2025. "Fortunately this will not happen given the recent decision by
Cabinet to proceed with the second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water
Project. We have made much progress and we are confident that the
universal access to water and sanitation services will be completed by
2014," she said.
According to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, a programme
was launched last year to deal with the illegal abstraction of water
and water pollution. "Our River Health Programme, remediation in
specific dams already undertaken in Hartbeespoort Dam, more resources
to deal with polluters and the implementation of the ‘Green Drop’
certificate to recognise cities that comply with required standards,
are initiatives we are embarking on," she said. Hendricks said all tap
water in South Africa is safe to drink, even though at times it does
not meet technical standards. "Of the 3 000 samples taken nationwide,
about 94% to 98% complied with the South African National Standards of
drinking water. The failing six percent of the samples do not
persistently occur in the same location but varies across the country.
In some areas, this may be due to a stolen or broken water pump. To
address this, a further amount of about R4-billion has been allocated
to deal with the upgrading and augmenting of municipal infrastructure,"
she said. She added that South African tap water was ranked among the
best in the world because the country had similar water service systems
to developed countries. "South Africa is one of only few countries
where one can drink water directly from a tap," said Hendricks.
ZWNEWS