Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read | 19 December 2025

📸 Communities Take Action: Citizen-led water tests reveal widespread contamination across South Africa, urging urgent municipal intervention to safeguard public health. Image credit: WaterCAN

A nationwide citizen science initiative has uncovered disturbing levels of water contamination, raising urgent public health concerns in South Africa. The Annual WaterCAN Citizen Science Water Testing Week, led by Dr Ferrial Adams, revealed that unsafe drinking water is not confined to rural areas but is a national risk impacting all nine provinces.

“Unsafe water is not a localised or rural problem, but a national risk affecting all nine provinces,” Dr Adams explained in an interview with Radio Ilsam International. The programme, held in March and September each year, mobilises communities to test rivers, dams, JoJo tanks, and tap water for chemical and bacterial contamination. By empowering citizens to monitor local water sources, WaterCAN aims to create awareness and foster accountability.

The survey found that 66% of tested water sources were unsafe for human consumption, with rivers and streams being the most affected. “This is quite concerning because it shows that sewage is flowing into many of our rivers and streams,” said Dr Adams, pointing to malfunctioning water treatment plants as a key contributor. Unsafe tap water was also detected in several municipalities, including Johannesburg, Sedibeng District Municipality, and KwaZulu-Natal.

Although E. coli was primarily found in natural water sources, total coliform bacteria a broader indicator of contamination was identified in household tap water. Dr Adams stressed, “Even if it’s not E. coli and its total coliform, the water is not fit for consumption. Municipalities need to be informed, and testing should be verified by a laboratory.”

The causes of unsafe water are multifaceted. Infrastructure breakdown, insufficient budgets, lack of skilled personnel, and inadequate planning for population growth all play a role. Alarmingly, Dr Adams revealed, “Seven, eight out of 10 municipalities would want to discount this and carry on as normal… It’s shocking that they would do that, given that they’re playing around with people’s lives. Water is life.”

The discussion also highlighted that bottled water is not always a guaranteed safe alternative. Factors such as storage in hot areas or prolonged shelf life can allow bacterial growth or other anomalies, underlining the importance of careful handling and awareness of expiry dates.

Dr Adams urged municipalities to take citizen-led tests seriously, emphasising that early detection and intervention are crucial. “Our tests are verified and work. If results are incorrect, we are happy to adjust, but the priority must be safe water,” she said.

With South Africa facing such widespread contamination, the WaterCAN initiative demonstrates that community participation is key to safeguarding health. As Dr Adams notes, local monitoring empowers citizens to be part of the solution and ensures that water safety remains a priority.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Dr Ferrial Adams.