Water Sampling

At present, two references two National Standards for the quality of potable water exist in South Africa. The first is the Water Services Act (Act 108 of 1997) in which clause 4 (in terms of section 9(1)(b) of Water Services Act), refers to a compulsory national standard.

The regulations relating to compulsory national standards for the quality of potable water are described in Clause 5 of the “Regulations Relating to Compulsory National Standards and Measures to Conserve Water” was gazetted on 8 June 2001 (Government Gazette 22355, 2001).

The second is the Strategic Framework for Water Services (RSA, 2003a), in which Clause 6.3.2 thereof makes reference to drinking-water quality. Both references are presented and discussed briefly below.

The standard that we use for water sampling is the SANS 0241 – National Drinking Water Standard (Physical, organoleptic and chemical requirements)