2014 Blue Drop report

A substantial decrease the Limpopo provincial Blue Drop Score from 79.4% in 2012 to 61.5% in 2014, a decrease of 17.9%, was reported in the 2014 report by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). The report, which was completed by June 30 2015, was only made available recently.
The number of Blue Drop Scores where municipalities scored equal to or more than 95%, also decreased from 9 to 1. A decline in Blue Drop performance was at the same time noted in nine of the eleven municipalities in the province.
The municipal Blue Drop Score is a performance indicator of the overall municipal drinking water quality management performance of the relevant municipality. The score relates to not only the quality of the drinking water, but also contains a risk management measure relating to the ability of the responsible authority to sustain the quality of drinking water and also to deal with any incidents that may pose a health risk to the public. The maximum score is 100 and the target of excellence is 95%.
According to the report forty five water systems in the province received scores below 50%, while 18 systems were in the high risk category and 2 systems, Mahwelereng and Mogalakwena Rural in the Mogalakwena Local Municipality are in the critical risk category.
In contrast to this poor picture, the Polokwane Local Municipality increased their Blue Drop score with a significant 5% to 92%, thereby regaining the top spot in the province.
The Water Service Authorities (WSAs) in the province are required to adjust and correct the downward trend to ensure that the required quality of water services is provided within the Province.
Best Performers in the province
In 2014, the Polokwane Local Municipality was the best performing municipality in the Limpopo Province with support from Lepelle Northern Water as the Water
Services Provider (WSP). A Municipal Blue Drop score of 92.48% was achieved. The Blue Drop certification status achieved in the City of Polokwane supply system in 2012 was maintained.
Lephalale Local Municipality and WSPs Exxaro and Eskom remained top performers and achieved second position in the province with a Municipal Blue Drop score of 85.46%. The third position on the Blue Drop podium was awarded to the Capricorn District Municipality. In addition to achieving the first position in the Limpopo Province, the Polokwane Local Municipality also succeeded in achieving the accomplishment of the Most Improved Water Services Authority, with an increase in Municipal Blue Drop score from 87% in 2012 to 92% in 2014. A small improvement in Blue Drop score was also recorded in the Thabazimbi Local Municipality, progressing from 54% in 2012 to 56% in 2014.
Lowest Performer(s)
The DWS found the drinking water quality management practices within the Mookgophong Local Municipality to be unacceptable and noted a decline in Blue Drop Score compared to the 2012 report. Challenges experienced by the municipality appear to relate to management capacity, shown by the fact that the required information was not submitted during the Blue Water Services Audit and that the Mookgophong Local Municipality did not even attend the confirmation audit.
The Vhembe District Municipality Blue Drop performance was also disappointingly poor in 2014, most notably for the considerable decline in performance compared to 2012. This deterioration in drinking water quality management was associated with the Vhembe District Municipality taking over all WSP functions and also with the lack of key drinking water quality management documentation, processes and practices available to provide evidence that a preventative, risk-based approach has been adopted for the protection of public health.
Besides the Limpopo Blue Drop Score declining significantly a decline in municipal Blue Drop performance was noted in nine of the eleven WSAs. Only a single system, the City of Polokwane, met the requirements for drinking water quality management excellence and achieved Blue Drop Certification status. Furthermore, the number of supply systems scoring less than 50% increased significantly from 17 to 45 – a worrying statistic since these systems will have limited ability to undertake adequate drinking water quality management and supply drinking water of a quality that is acceptable for a lifetime of consumption.
The DWS noted the declining trend in Blue Drop performance in Limpopo Province with serious concern.
According to the report the Water Services Authorities and Providers in the Limpopo are required to make substantial improvements to drinking water quality management to ensure that safe drinking water is produced to protect the health of their consumers.
Water Risks
Only nine systems were deemed to be of a good status, with between 80 – 95% Blue Drop score. The majority of the supply systems in the province, 45 systems out of a total of 74 systems, performed at a very poor or critical level in 2014. According to the DWS, improvements in all Blue Drop key performance areas are required in Limpopo to ensure that all supply systems perform above the acceptable 50% level.
Water Safety Planning, Asset Management and Water Use Efficiency and Loss Management require particular attention and focused interventions.
The average municipal risk rating varied widely, from the Polokwane Local Municipality with a low risk rating of 24% to the Mookgapong Local Municipality with a very concerning risk rating of 84%.
The Polokwane Local Municipality, Capricorn District Municipality and Lephalale Local Municipality can be commended on not having any systems in the critical or high risk category.
However, the two water supply systems in the Mogalakwena Local Municipality that were classified in the critical risk category as well as 18 other systems in the province in the high risk category require urgent attention.

Story: NELIE ERASMUS
>>nelie.observer@gmail.com