Drinking water declared free of rat-tailed maggots

The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry says independent audits of drinking water have proved that the water is safe for human consumption. This follows media reports that water in some areas in the Western Cape, on the East Rand and in KwaZulu-Natal had been contaminated with rat-tailed maggots. Departmental spokesperson Sputnik Ratau says the audits found no indication of maggots dropping from taps dispensing drinking water. He says maggots thrive under debris and equipment, behind walls, open septic tanks, unkempt yards and areas where there was stagnant water, but are not found in flowing, treated water.