BE WATER WISE | SAVE WATER | OUR WATER IS SAFE TO DRINK | WATER IS LIFE
The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality assures all members of our community that our drinking water remains safe, clean, and fully compliant with national safety standards. Our Water Meets National and International Standards:

 

Our water is regularly tested and consistently meets the National Requirements for Safe Drinking Water, which are aligned with the guidelines of the World Health Organization.

These standards require that drinking water:

Contains zero detectable E. coli or harmful pathogens per 100 mL

Maintains safe turbidity levels (generally below 5 NTU)

Has a balanced pH (typically between 6.5 and 8.5)

Maintains safe disinfectant residuals to prevent microbial growth

Meets strict chemical and heavy metal limits (including lead, arsenic, nitrates, and others)

Compliance with these requirements ensures that water is safe for drinking, cooking, and everyday household use.

Rigorous Testing and Independent Verification:

We operate our own fully equipped laboratories, where trained scientists conduct daily, weekly, and monthly tests across microbiological, chemical, and physical parameters.

In addition:

Our laboratories operate under nationally recognized quality systems aligned with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 17025 for laboratory competence).

Independent accredited external laboratories and regulatory bodies conduct routine verification testing.

Results are audited and reviewed to confirm compliance with national health regulations.

This multi-layered approach ensures transparency, accountability, and reliability.

Addressing Misinformation:

We are aware of false information circulating on various platforms that attempts to discredit the quality of our water.

It is important to clarify:

Drinking water quality cannot be accurately tested using handheld gadgets, informal probes, or improvised electrolysis demonstrations.

Reliable water testing requires controlled laboratory conditions, calibrated instruments, certified methods, and qualified analysts.

Visual changes, colour reactions, or online demonstration devices do not determine compliance with drinking water standards.

We encourage residents to rely on verified scientific processes and official test results rather than unverified demonstrations.

Drinking Water and Sewer Systems Are Separate:

There is a fundamental and strictly controlled difference between:

Drinking (potable) water systems, which deliver treated, disinfected water to homes; and Sewer systems, which transport wastewater for treatment and safe disposal.

These systems are engineered, maintained, and regulated separately. They do not mix.

Protecting Our Infrastructure:

Water infrastructure is a critical community asset. Acts of vandalism, illegal connections, and tampering can compromise service delivery and public safety.

We urge all residents to:

Report vandalism or suspicious activity.

Protect public infrastructure in their neighborhoods.

Share only verified information from official sources.

Our Commitment to You:

Clean drinking water is not only a service - it is a public health responsibility.

We remain committed to:

Continuous monitoring

Transparent reporting

Rapid response to any identified risks

Maintaining water quality that meets and exceeds national standards

We thank you for your continued trust and partnership in safeguarding our community’s water supply.

Together, we can protect our water and secure a supply for all.

#BuffaloCity #ACityHardAtWork #WaterIsLife

2026-03-12