THE award-winning scientists at the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) have conducted their latest independent, quarterly analysis of tap water in the eThekwini Metro area. The results, which were released on Friday, September 1, reassuringly verified that at the time of testing, Durban’s tap water was safe to consume.

Professor Faizal Bux, Director of the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology at DUT, confirmed that ‘samples were collected on Wednesday, August 30 from various areas within the eThekwini Municipality, encompassing the northern, southern and western parts of the metro’.

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The collection process was meticulously executed by researchers from the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology at DUT, adhering to a stringent chain of custody protocols. Professor Bux also admitted that the analysis followed standard microbiological water-quality assessment procedures, as outlined in SANS 241, and included tap-water samples obtained from households in the region. “Importantly, the areas tested had a consistent supply of water during the sampling period,” said Bux.

The eagerly awaited results of the analysis, which are of significant interest to the public, have revealed that there was no presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria in any of the water samples that were tested. Professor Bux said this discovery was crucial, as E. coli is a bacterium that is often used as an indicator of potential contamination, especially of faecal origin, in water sources.

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The findings showed that the water samples had satisfied the microbiological water-quality standards at the time of sampling. “It is essential to emphasise that this analysis was conducted solely in the interest of public safety, and it was not commissioned by any specific organisation or entity,” added Bux.

These findings provide residents of the eThekwini Metro area with valuable assurance regarding the safety of their tap-water supply. Clean and safe water is vital for public health, and this quarterly, independent analysis serves as a testament to the commitment of the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology at DUT to ensure the public’s awareness of the quality and safety of the region’s water resources.

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