A drinking water quality framework for South Africa

Abstract

In recognition of the importance of safe drinking water to public health, DWAF initiated a project to draft a Drinking Water Quality Framework for South Africa to enable effective management of drinking water quality and the protection of public health. The Framework is based on a preventative risk management approach, which is comprehensive from catchment to consumer. The approach promotes an understanding of the entire water supply system, the events that can compromise drinking water quality and the operational control necessary for optimising drinking water quality and protecting public health. However, the Framework also recognises the challenges facing water services authorities (WSAs) in South Africa, and advocates a continual incremental improvement approach towards long-term targets. Short- and medium-term intervention strategies were developed as well as a longer term Drinking Water Quality Management Strategy to achieve the vision of ‘Effective Drinking Water Quality Management Ensuring Safe Drinking Water’. The drinking water quality management project also developed a number of supportive documents and tools to provide the water sector with the information needed to monitor, manage, communicate and regulate drinking water quality.