Ramaphosa states SA has ‘high quality’ water, which contradicts government’s reports
According to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the water quality in South Africa is of a high standard and “compares well with the best in the world”, referring to the government’s Water Research Commission. ALSO READ: South Africa will soon ban the sale of SOME energy-storing light bulbs RAMAPHOSA CONTRADICTS GOVERNMENT’S WATER RESEARCH REPORT However, the same research […]
According to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the water quality in South Africa is of a high standard and “compares well with the best in the world”, referring to the government’s Water Research Commission.
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RAMAPHOSA CONTRADICTS GOVERNMENT’S WATER RESEARCH REPORT
However, the same research shows the opposite of what what was said by Ramaphosa.
According to BusinessTech, president Ramaphosa said this after several people have succumbed from a cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, Gauteng, and in the Free State.
Over 200 patients had been admitted to the Jubilee District hospital, with 48 confirmed cases and 24 deaths due to cholera. He said this in his weekly newsletter to the public.
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CHOLERA OUTBREAK IN SOUTH AFRICA
Ramaphosa said an investigation is underway into the source of the outbreak; however, to date, the original source of the cholera infection has not been located.
The president said that relevant task members from the City of Tshwane, the Department of Water and Sanitation, and the provincial and national departments of Health are carrying out water quality tests at distribution points and at water treatment works in the area.
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According to the president, a World Health Organisation (WHO) report showed that there had been several similar cases since the beginning of the year in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Regarding water quality, Ramaphosa cited the most recent Green Drop Report to try and put a positive spin on the narrative.
“Generally, water quality in South Africa is of a high standard, which, according to our Water Research Commission, ‘compares well with the best in the world’,” he said.
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GOVERNMENT’S WATER RESEARCH COMMISSION REPORTS
While Ramaphosa claims that South Africa has high-quality water – the report he cites shows the exact opposite. The Green Drop report focuses on wastewater management, while the Blue Drop report looks at drinking water quality.
The reports can be read here:
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The Greed Drop report requires wastewater systems to achieve a 90% score to be issued a Green Drop certificate – indicating a working, efficient and world-quality system.
No certificates were issued in 2022 for any of the country’s systems as no wastewater systems scored a minimum of 90% when measured against the Green Drop standards for the audited period.
However, president Ramaphosa still maintains that the country is of a high standard and “compares well with the best in the world”.
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This article was originally published by CWENGA MAQHUBELA.