In light of what they have termed “unfounded accusations”, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has released a statement reaffirming their Blue Drop Status and therefore the exceptional quality of their drinking water.

“The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality wishes to express its concern about the unfounded accusations sent via electronic messaging to Ekurhuleni residents claiming the existence of a bad bacterial virus in the water supply to Boksburg and Brakpan areas,” said the municipality’s spokesperson, Sam Modiba.

According to Modiba, the electronic messages are irresponsible, with the potential to cause unsolicited panic amongst residents and the incurring of wasted expenditure by residents and the municipality alike.

“Actions have been set in motion by the municipality to trace the origin of this false messaging with the intention of gaining evidence for possible prosecution,” Modiba said.

The municipality has indicated that these accusations come after their recent (2012) awarding of a Blue Drop status award for the highest quality of drinking water management. The award is bestowed by the Department of Water Affairs annually in order to build citizens’ confidence on the quality of drinking water management in municipalities countrywide.

Since the launching of this initiative by the Department of Water Affairs on 11 September 2008, Ekurhuleni has consistently achieved Blue Drop Status and during 2012 achieved the highest score (98.95%) in South Africa.

“To obtain Blue Drop Certification, a municipality must score 95%on a range of criteria, which includes drinking water quality compliance. We have achieved this because a well-qualified and dedicated team conducts frequent testing throughout the year to ensure the tap water in Ekurhuleni is safe to drink at all times and complies with the South African National Standard for microbiological, physical, aesthetic and chemical determinants for drinking water as published by the SABS Standards Division,” Modiba explained.

He concluded that “any genuine uncertainties of suspected contamination” may be reported to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality’s Water Quality staff for further investigation.