Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has been recognized as the second-best water services provider in South Africa, securing the prestigious Blue Drop status for the year 2023. The city’s water conservation and demand management performance have also been commended. At the national Blue and No Drop awards event, Cape Town won several awards, including second place for water conservation and demand management performance, and a commendation for the Faure Water Treatment Plant. The city’s dedication to water quality and preservation is an ongoing journey towards surpassing expectations and serving as a luminary example for the world.
Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has been recognized as the second-best water services provider in South Africa, securing the prestigious Blue Drop status for the year 2023. The city’s water conservation and demand management performance have also been commended, placing them in the second position nationwide. The city’s dedication to water quality and preservation is an ongoing journey towards surpassing expectations and serving as a luminary example for the world.
In the vibrant coastal metropolis of Cape Town, the Water and Sanitation Directorate has been a buzzing hive of activity. The esteemed recognition of the Directorate’s success came when it secured its second position nationwide for unparalleled performance as a water services provider. This triumph, a testament to the city’s dedication to water quality and preservation, was declared during an event organized by South Africa’s National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).
A Leap towards the Blue Drop Status
Cape Town, basking in the glory of the praise, was one among the 26 water supply systems in South Africa that garnered the prestigious Blue Drop status for the year 2023. This status mirrors the marked improvement in the Directorate’s performance, which rocketed remarkably from 95.86% in the year 2014 to an astounding 98.12% by 2023.
Notable Performance at the National Blue and No Drop Awards
At the national Blue and No Drop awards event, Cape Town did not merely participate, but sparkled. The city’s performance was commended in a plethora of areas, ranging from water preservation to technical examination. Among the plentiful awards were the second position for the top-performing water services system nationwide, the second position for water conservation and demand management performance, and a commendation for the Faure Water Treatment Plant, which bagged the Best Technical Site Assessment Score nationally, with a striking 98%.
Stellar Performance of the City’s Water Treatment Plants
The Blue Drop Report, the outcomes of which were keenly anticipated, evaluated the City’s Faure and Steenbras Water Treatment Plants. Upon rigorous scrutiny of each facility’s potable water infrastructure, both establishments emerged victorious, recording scores of 98% and 93% respectively.
The appraisal of the City was carried out in rigorous compliance with the South African National Drinking Water Standard (SANS241:2015), taking into account both microbiological and chemical aspects. The Blue Drop Report’s assessment criteria comprised of the infrastructure’s condition, the proper functioning and adherence to treatment processes, the execution of monitoring and controls, and the presence of adept and skilled personnel.
City’s Dedication to Water Conservation
Conversely, the No Drop Report shed light on the City’s dedication to water conservation. It underscored that Cape Town clinched the second position in the nation for water conservation and demand management performance. The report primarily assessed the efficiency of municipal drinking water distribution systems, assuring that water was supplied without any squandering.
The evaluation process incorporated monitoring physical water losses or leaks, examining levels of non-revenue water, and computing average per capita daily water consumption. Additionally, the report analysed the maintenance of infrastructure to curtail wastage, the effectiveness of metering, billing, and revenue collection systems, and the execution of plans and strategies to decrease water losses.
Awards Ceremony and City’s Reaction
The DWS organized an awards event at Hotel Verde, Airport Industria, on 11 December 2023, where the awards were formally presented to the City of Cape Town.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, expressed his joy at the remarkable accomplishment of the Water and Sanitation Directorate at the Blue Drop awards. He attributed the esteemed second position in South Africa for the best-performing water services institution as a testament of the City’s exceptional drinking water quality.
Councillor Zahid Badroodien emphasized that these awards are a reflection of the City’s steadfast effort to incessantly enhance water and sanitation services for the welfare of Cape Town’s residents.
The Road Ahead
As the City of Cape Town continues to relentlessly aim for excellence, it is clear that the city’s commitment to uphold the premier standards of water quality and conservation is not merely an objective, but an ongoing voyage towards surpassing expectations. In this journey, the city continues to serve as a luminary example, not just for South Africa, but for the world.
1. What is the Water and Sanitation Directorate in Cape Town?
The Water and Sanitation Directorate in Cape Town is a department responsible for providing water and sanitation services to the residents of Cape Town.
2. What is the Blue Drop status?
Blue Drop status is a prestigious award given to water supply systems in South Africa that meet the national standards for drinking water quality and safety.
3. What awards did Cape Town win at the national Blue and No Drop awards event?
At the national Blue and No Drop awards event, Cape Town won several awards, including second place for water conservation and demand management performance, second place for top-performing water services system nationwide, and a commendation for the Faure Water Treatment Plant.
4. What are the Faure and Steenbras Water Treatment Plants?
The Faure and Steenbras Water Treatment Plants are two facilities in Cape Town responsible for treating potable water. The Blue Drop Report evaluated the infrastructure of both facilities and found that they met the national standards for drinking water quality and safety.
5. How did the No Drop Report evaluate Cape Town’s dedication to water conservation?
The No Drop Report evaluated Cape Town’s dedication to water conservation by assessing the efficiency of municipal drinking water distribution systems, monitoring physical water losses or leaks, examining levels of non-revenue water, and computing average per capita daily water consumption.
6. What is the City of Cape Town’s reaction to winning the Blue Drop status and other awards?
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, expressed his joy at the remarkable accomplishment of the Water and Sanitation Directorate at the Blue Drop awards. He attributed the esteemed second position in South Africa for the best-performing water services institution as a testament of the City’s exceptional drinking water quality. Councillor Zahid Badroodien emphasized that these awards are a reflection of the City’s steadfast effort to incessantly enhance water and sanitation services for the welfare of Cape Town’s residents.
