The Department of Water and Environmental Affairs gives the metro a nod for topping acceptable standards in supplying quality water.

THE Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has been presented with a Cum Laude award for the management of its drinking water by the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs.

The Metro has exceeded acceptable standards in supplying quality water, for the third consecutive time.

The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, awarded the municipality Blue Drop Status certification recently. She also praised the metro for performing consistently in the quest to ensure that not only residents, but tourists as well, have safe tap water to drink.

The Blue Drop Certification programme for the year 2011 involved verifying the status of drinking water quality and the management of supply systems of 162 municipalities countrywide.

The Blue and Green Drop certification programmes are flagship innovations of the Water Affairs Department.

In 2008 - as the water sector regulator - the department introduced these programmes as an incentive-based regulation system to improve municipal drinking water quality and waste water management.

“As Ekurhuleni, we support the national imperative of recognising that water is the life-blood of our country, without which there is no life, no economic growth and no development.

“This should also give our residents confidence that they have a municipality that cares and delivers. More importantly we are thrilled that as tourists touch down at OR Tambo International Airport, they do not have to buy bottled water,” said Zweli Dlamini, municipal spokesperson.

Source: Ekurhuleni