Clarity matters : The importance of safe, clean drinking water in South Africa

Key topics:

• Water safety varies across South Africa due to aging infrastructure

• MANZI Water offers stricter purification than national standards

• Safe water access builds trust, dignity, and community empowerment

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Water is of course a fundamental need and resource upon which we all depend. Yet in 2025, even as South Africa historically boasts one of the most advanced water infrastructures on the continent, millions of South Africans still ask themselves the same quiet, unsettling question every time they pour a glass: Is my drinking water truly safe? 

The answer is more complicated than it should be.

What Exactly Is “Safe, Clean Drinking Water”? 

“Safe, clean drinking water” is more than just clear liquid flowing from a tap. It’s water that meets rigorous safety standards, is free from harmful microorganisms, chemicals, and contaminants, and is consistently tested to ensure it stays that way. 

In South Africa, the benchmark for this is the South African National Standard (SANS) 241. It provides a comprehensive framework that sets limits for microbial content, chemical pollutants, and physical qualities. Municipalities are expected to comply with these standards, and many do, at least on paper, but cracks in the system are becoming increasingly hard to ignore. 

The Municipal Water Dilemma 

Municipal tap water in South Africa is not inherently unsafe. In many cities municipal tap water still meets high standards, but in smaller towns and rural areas quality is inconsistent. However, nationwide, water safety and reliability are increasingly under pressure due to ageing infrastructure, wastewater contamination, periodic droughts, and inconsistent monitoring.

Take wastewater infrastructure, for instance. According to the Green Drop Progress Assessment released by the Department of Water and Sanitation in December 2023, 64% of wastewater treatment works were at high or critical risk of discharging inadequately treated effluent into the environment. When these systems fail, the risk of cross-contamination rises, especially in densely populated or under-resourced areas. Even small lapses can lead to major problems. Pathogens such as E. coli, heavy metals from industrial runoff, and pesticide residues from agricultural activity can all find their way into drinking water sources. 

In rural and peri-urban areas, where infrastructure maintenance is often more challenging, people may also face taste or odour issues, brownish water, or intermittent supply, all of which can erode public trust, even if the water is technically compliant. 

This is the heart of the issue: trust. South Africans don’t just want water that’s legally compliant, they want water they know is safe for their families. 

Why Prepared Water Offers Reassurance 

This is where alternatives like MANZI Water play a vital role in offering a reliable solution, not as a replacement for municipal systems, but as a trusted complement.

MANZI Water operates with a singular purpose: to provide safe, clean drinking water that’s affordable, accessible across various communities, and high in quality. 

We achieve this through a meticulous six-stage purification process that includes sand filtration, element filtration, reverse osmosis, carbon filtration, UV protection, and ozone treatment. 

Each outlet undergoes regular daily internal checks and monthly independent laboratory testing against SANS 241 standards but applies far stricter tolerances. 

E.coli, a bacterial marker for recent faecal contamination and a severe health risk, must register as not detected. Total Coliforms, which signal any post-treatment contamination, must be 0 (SANS 241 allows <10/100 mL), and the Total Plate Count, reflecting the overall microbial quality of water, must be 0 (SANS 241 requires <1,000 cfu/mL). For Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), which measure minerals, salts, metals, and organic compounds, our standard is below 20 mg/L (SANS 241 requires <1,200 mg/L).

Through continuous improvement and transparency, MANZI Water ensures safe, clean, and high-quality drinking water that South Africans can trust.

Debunking The Myths 

Still, myths persist. Let’s tackle a few: 

Myth 1: “Tap Water Is Always Safe In South Africa.” 

While tap water is generally treated and regulated, ‘safe’ can vary by municipality, by the health of infrastructure, and by source. Many areas experience periodic contamination, even if only briefly. 

Myth 2: “Prepared Water Is Just Overpriced Bottled Water.” 

Not at MANZI Water. With refill prices starting at just R1 per litre, it’s often more affordable than buying bottled water or relying on inconsistent municipal supply. 

Myth 3: “You Can Taste If Water Is Safe.” 

Taste, clarity, and smell can indicate issues, but they are not reliable indicators of safety. Many dangerous contaminants (like lead or E. coli) are odourless and tasteless. 

Myth 4: “Only Rural Communities Need Alternatives.” 

Urban communities with ageing infrastructure, water rationing, or intermittent contamination also benefit from having safe, local water refill options. 

More Than Just Water: It’s About Dignity And Access 

MANZI Water’s growing footprint, with over 100 outlets across South Africa and counting, isn’t just about selling prepared water. It’s about restoring dignity through reliable access, supporting local entrepreneurship, and empowering people to make informed choices. 

So Where Do We Go From Here? 

South Africa’s municipal water systems are vital. They must be protected, invested in, and improved. In the meantime, it is not only acceptable but necessary to have parallel systems that give citizens peace of mind. 

We need to move the conversation away from ‘either–or’ thinking. Safe drinking water should never be a gamble. It should be a guarantee. Until every household can rely on that, prepared water from providers like MANZI Water remains a practical, transparent, and affordable solution.