About seven billion litres of sewage are released every day into rivers and dams
This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers.
Get Your Free Account
The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. Please register your free account now. Your registration is your first step to becoming an M&G community member.
Register
Registration enables:
- – M&G newsletters access
- – notifications
- – the best possible experience
Already registered?
Login here
Want to subscribe and get even more benefits?
Explore our subscription offers
Desperate residents have removed the alien plant by hand, but a scientist says this is like treating a brain tumour with Panado
Causes are a growing population, ageing infrastructure, poor governance and leaks
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
In April last year, the department’s Green Drop report identified 334 wastewater systems in a critical condition in 90 municipalities.
Quick fixes are inadequate to prevent damage from gold mining’s legacy, but the long-term plan of treating AMD could relieve water shortages
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
Zandspruit pump is a mess, says Joburg resident, citing load-shedding, lack of maintenance, high effluent volumes and poor infrastructure
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
The dam levels have been low for years, the canal transferring water from the Orange River Project to the storage dam was not repaired and the metro rejected help from the state
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
Just a few weeks left until taps run dry in large parts of the metropolitan
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
The Green Drop 2022 report, the first since 2013, reflects a serious deterioration in the management of wastewater treatment plants
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
The Blue and Green Drop programmes are being relaunched to rebuild SA’s often poorly maintained and ‘looted’ water systems
About 360 tonnes of salts are dissolved in the Vaal River system every day
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
Mismanagement, pollution and a water deficit exacerbated by climate change are to blame
Solar-powered purifier removes bad taste and smells from wastewater
The last reports were in 2014 but were stopped probably because the results were too shocking to be publicised, water experts say
Skills shortages are hampering the government’s multibillion-rand infrastructure roll-out plan, writes <b>Lloyd Gedye</b>
Fracking in the Karoo has opened up deep divisions despite the government’s moratorium on all prospecting, pending an investigation into its impact.
No image available
/ 9 December 2008
Suspended water researcher Anthony Turton is no longer employed at the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research, the two parties said on Monday.
No image available
/ 28 November 2008
According to a researcher from the CSIR, poor water quality threatens our health and may also derail economic growth.
No image available
/ 27 November 2008
The suspension of water researcher Anthony Turton must be lifted immediately, the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) said on Thursday.
No image available
/ 26 November 2008
The FXI has offered to assist suspended water researcher Dr Anthony Turton should he be summoned to a disciplinary hearing.
No image available
/ 26 November 2008
Suspended CSIR scientist Anthony Turton said on Wednesday he had extended an ”olive branch” to the organisation. ”I have no anger in my heart,” he sai
No image available
/ 26 November 2008
The suspension of a senior researcher by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has not stopped him from speaking out.