Safer small-town water through step-by-step guide

Abstract

I ncidences of disease linked to the supply of poor quality drinking water have been reported in several municipal areas in the last few years. In the latest reported case, at least 30 people died in Bushbuckridge and parts of Mbombela municipality when problems with the local water treatment facility resulted in the provision of poor quality water. Cases such as these highlight the importance of management of water treatment and supply. For a variety of reasons, this has proven problematic especially for small municipalities situated in far-flung, rural areas. Lack of skilled technical and management personnel along with low financial resources are only some of the challenges experienced by these local and district authorities who have taken on the responsibility of providing water to their constituents. At the water indaba held in Mpumalanga earlier this year, Minister of Water & Environmental Affairs Buyelwa Sonjica emphasised the importance of proper management and planning in ensuring a safe, reliable drinking water supply.

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