City Water Services do not use private companies to test water quality in your home

By Mandisi Tyulu
05 December 2008

The City of Cape Town's Water and Sanitation Department has received numerous queries from residents about persons contacting them to set up an appointment to conduct water quality tests on behalf of the City. Water Inspectors investigated the matter and found that this is an illegal marketing tactic by sales staff of companies trying to sell water filters and other devices.

Lungile Dhlamini, the City's Director: Water and Sanitation, says: “ We strongly condemn this illegal practice and want to assure the citizens of Cape Town that our drinking water is of a high standard and compliant with the SABS 241 standard for drinking water. Our highly qualified, specialist personnel routinely collect and analyze water samples from across the city on a weekly basis to monitor the quality at a range of specific sampling points. “

“We do not employ the services of private companies to go from door-to-door to test the water quality in homes. If our staffs ever call at your home, they will wear clearly identifiable City of Cape Town clothing and have official ID cards. We will also use the media e.g. local community newspapers and radio stations to notify residents about any of our actions that will impact on them. For your own personal safety please check the credentials of any person before allowing him/her into your home “says Dhlamini.

Residents who experience this illegal practice of purporting to represent the City are urged to report it immediately to the all hours Water Technical Operations Centre on 0860 103 054