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Russia Today
3 hours ago
- Health
- Russia Today
Study exposes water danger in South African schools
A South African environmental organization has found that 43% of schools participating in a testing project reported water samples contaminated with harmful bacteria. The findings were published on Wednesday. Only 36.7% of South Africa's rural population has access to safe drinking water, compared to 71.8% in urban areas, according to a 2024 report by Statistics South Africa. The country's water infrastructure is also under strain – 29% of water supply systems were deemed to be in critical condition, the 2023 Blue Drop report found. Launched in March, the Water Community Action Network (WaterCAN) involved teachers and pupils from 95 schools in eight provinces who used citizen science kits developed by iLAB to test local water sources. Out of 54 schools that uploaded data, 23 reported contaminated samples. Tank water showed the worst results – 73% of tanks tested positive for bacteria like coliforms and escherichia coli. River water followed at 66%, while 23% of tap water samples also failed to meet safety standards. 'This isn't just a water issue,' WaterCAN executive director Dr Ferrial Adam stressed. 'Children can't learn if they're sick, unsafe, or without access to something as basic as clean water.' Responding to the findings, Department of Basic Education spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said 'It is critical that as a country we should address all the matters raised in the report to ensure that our learners consume clean, safe water,' as quoted by IOL. Despite gradual improvements in infrastructure, millions across Africa still lack access to safe drinking water. According to a 2023 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately 70% of people in African countries have access to basic water services. Only 19% of the population in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 12.6% in Ethiopia, 6.2% in the Central African Republic (CAR), and 5.6% in Chad have access to safe sources. The Republic of the Congo performs better, with access at 46%. People without reliable access face heightened risks of cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever. In Chad, poor water quality accounted for 10% of all deaths in 2019, according to health data. The Central African Republic followed closely at 9.5%, with Niger and South Sudan each at 8.2%, and Nigeria at 7%.
The Herald
a day ago
- Health
- The Herald
Nearly half of school water samples tested unsafe: WaterCAN project
The worst-performing water source was JoJo tanks, which many rural and township schools rely on when piped water is not available. Poor maintenance, infrequent cleaning and municipal water issues were flagged as major contributors. For many pupils, especially in rural and quintile 1-3 schools, water has become an item they carry with them, sometimes in bottles from home. Some schools rely on streams or rainwater for daily use. In extreme cases, pupils relieve themselves in open fields due to a lack of functioning toilets, with no water or soap for hygiene. The lack of water does not just affect health; it affects dignity, concentration and school attendance, especially for girls during their menstruation. 'Unsafe water is not just a health issue; it's an education issue, a gender issue and a human rights issue,' said WaterCAN executive director Dr Ferrial Adam . What set this project apart was the involvement of pupils, who were trained to conduct water quality tests using citizen science kits. In cases where water was unsafe, project partners notified the schools and offered guidance on short-term solutions and long-term engagement with municipalities. 'This is not just citizen science — it's civic action,' said Adam. 'We cannot rely on learners alone to test their water, but we can develop young leaders with real agency. 'With more than 24,000 schools in South Africa, this sample represents a fraction, but the findings suggest systemic challenges that demand urgent national attention. 'This underlines the urgent need for a much broader, nationally co-ordinated testing and response programme. Every school deserves to know the quality of its water. Every learner deserves clean, safe access.' TimesLIVE
