The survey found that although the proportion of respondents who are connected to piped water remains high (92% in 2023-24), the percentage of respondents who believe their water is “always clean” declined from 75% in 2020-21 to 60% in 2023-24. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP) 
                                    
                                    Experts like civil engineers say it is not too late to save South Africa’s waterways from high levels of pollution
 		
			
				
	
		
	  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.