Authorities show commitment but Green Drops still elusive

Abstract

Wastewater treatment South Africa has more than 800 wastewater treatment facilities dotting the national landscape managed by 156 municipalities and treating on average around 5 258 Mℓ/day of sewage. Of these plants, more than 70% are micro, small and medium-sized works. The latest report of the Department of Water Affairs’ (DW A ’s) Green Drop certification programme, published earlier this year, once again highlighted the challenges most municipalities face in terms of achieving excellence in sewage treatment and management. Only 40 sewage treatment works achieved Green Drop awards, with 20 of the previous 33 recipients ‘falling off the wagon’ and losing their Green Drop status. It must be noted, though, that Green Drop requirements become more stringent (and detailed) with every assessment cycle.

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