Drinking Water Quality Management was placed squarely under the spotlight with the introduction of the Blue Drop Certification Programme; ensuring that municipalities and water service providers alike are held accountable to provide tap water of safe quality to its constituencies.
The Department of Water Affairs pioneered this innovative form of regulation which went beyond the mere monitoring of compliance to minimum standards but instead raised the bar significantly. A new paradigm was created where Excellence was set as the sector target.
As part of the 2011 Water Week celebrations, the Department wish to reflect on this proudly South African regulation approach by revealing the impressions of those subjected to this means of enforcement.
Mr David Semimelo, District Engineer Coastal Water Buffalo City Municipality, rated the Blue Drop regulation approach 9.5/10; because audit requirements now force municipalities to realistically look at their shortcomings, review and to implement remedial measures to provide for improvement for the following audit cycle.
Semimelo noted that this programme ensured that monthly municipal engineering meetings now have a standing item on drinking water quality management, portraying the municipality’s commitment to maintain its 2010 Blue Drop status for East London and King Williamstown.
Another important issue is the heat Blue Drop generated towards skills development of process controllers in both municipality and Amatola Water board. This is evident in the number of FET College enrolments by water treatment works operators to obtain N3+ qualifications within the trade.
Mr Sandile Tyatya, Municipal Manager of Tlokwe Municipality in the North West Province shared his views on the Blue Drop Certification Programme. He noted that the Blue Drop Certification programme has had positive effects on Tlokwe Municipality by igniting water safety plans, asset management and maintenance records, and recording of analyses.
Awareness of water quality and the drive to maintain excellence in service delivery has become part of all personals Key Performance Areas. The sharing of information with the public through a water quality Lekgotla held in January 2011, and also various publications in local newspapers are evidence of the renewed attention that is given to drinking water.
The commitment from the Tlokwe management team has been proven in the turn around time of fixing equipment that have been struck by lighting, the expansion of the laboratory and the purchase of new equipment to conduct analyses as well as the approval of the appointment of more personnel to adjust the structure of the water quality monitoring unit. While he is very supportive of the programme, he mentioned that it is time consuming and a lot of effort is required to obtain blue drop status with limited resources.
The City of uMhlathuze’s Blue Drop performance in 2010 was very good yet not sufficient to obtain the coveted excellence award. However the quality of drinking water was maintained at 99.8% compliance with the National Standard which is exceptional in its own right.
Mr. Neeran Maharaj of uMhlathuze Municipality stated that Blue Drop led to a renewed commitment of the Water Services Authority towards continual improvement as their Blue Drop Team took ownership and accountability of the Blue Drop System. Their aim is to continually provide safe water supply to residents and to build upon the major steps of commitment taken thus far to obtain certification.
Mr Maharaj feels that the Department should use this approach to engrain a culture of continual improvement by improving its consultative assistance based upon the results.
The Department of Water Affairs is encouraged by the positive impact displayed by this incentive-based regulation approach, yet are very cognisant of the magnitude of challenges to be faced before Excellence manifests itself as the norm in the South African drinking water quality context. It is from this point of view that the Department is committing itself to make the quality of your tap water; our concern.