More facts about legal water
- By law the water delivered to your taps must comply with the South African National Standards for Drinking Water (SANS241). When this is not the case (as in more than 71% of municipalities) and you or a family member is hospitalised as a result, there is nothing you can do to claim compensation. The Limitation of Liability clause in the National Water Bill protects all government and municipal employees against prosecution. Since its promulgation in 1998, there has not been a successful damages claim against a municipality anywhere in South Africa. Municipalities can fail to deliver potable water and there is little you can do about it - except perhaps to protest outside municipal offices!
- The SANS 241 standards were updated in 1984, 2001 and 2005, but not much has changed. The standards allow for three classes of water. Class I is ŽidealŽ water that can be consumed for a lifetime without any adverse effects. Class 2 is ŽacceptableŽ when consumed for short periods. Class 3 water contains the maximum levels of contaminants for potable water.
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