The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has instructed Water Service Authorities (WSAs) in the country to ensure that all water provided, especially to rural and informal settlements, through tankers (trucks) and tanks be of reliable quality as they deliver this critical resource.

Rand Water was tasked to provide accommodation for the National Command Centre with part of the daily reports on the quality of tankers and storage tanks that distribute water to various communities across the country.

Water quality experts have been deployed from Rand Water to provinces to assist local expertise in ensuring adherence to water quality.

The Northern Cape is no exception, says the DWS Northern Cape Provincial Head, Mr Kobus Streuders.

“The Water Services Act of 1997 dictates that it is compulsory for Water Service Authorities (WSAs) to adhere and comply with national standards”, said Kobus Streuders.

“In the case of water tankers and tanks”, explains Streuders, “a WSA must take samples of water from each tanker and tank to test if the water is fit for human consumption before it is distributed.”

It must be analyzed for compliance against disinfectant residuals, turbidity, E. coli, Heterotrophic Plate Count, treatment chemicals, conductivity and Ph within 24 hours.

The COVID-19 was classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) and following related developments within the Republic of South Africa, the Government declared a National State of Disaster relating to COVID-19.