A national school-based water testing initiative has found that nearly 4 in 10 water samples from South African schools are unsafe for human consumption.
The Water Warrior school water quality project, launched by WaterCAN under the Water Warriors Collective, ran for a month and involved 95 schools across eight provinces.
Teachers trained pupils to use water testing kits and upload their findings to the online MapMyWater tool, turning them into citizen scientists.
Water sources tested included tap water, JoJo tanks, and rivers.
High contamination in the tank and river water
While only 53 schools (47%) successfully submitted results, limited by technical issues and school holidays, the data paints a troubling picture:
- 43% of water samples showed unsafe bacterial contamination;
- 73% of tank water samples contained harmful bacteria, including E. coli;
- 66% of river samples and 23% of tap water samples were unsafe;
- Some samples indicated low pH and elevated phosphate levels, both of which may pose long-term health risks.
JoJo tanks, which are widely used in rural and township schools, emerged as the worst-performing water source.
Poor maintenance, infrequent cleaning, and unreliable municipal supply were identified as major problems.
Water crisis affects health, dignity, and attendance
According to Timeslive, many schools, particularly those in quintile 1–3 categories, lack reliable access to clean water.
Some pupils bring bottled water from home, while others rely on rainwater or streams.
In extreme cases, learners relieve themselves in open fields due to non-functional toilets, without water or soap for hygiene.
This has wider consequences beyond health; it undermines dignity, concentration, and school attendance, especially for girls during menstruation.
The project offers both science and civic action
Executive Director of WaterCAN, Dr Ferrial Adam, said, “This is not just citizen science, it’s civic action.”
“Unsafe water is not just a health issue, it’s an education issue, a gender issue and a human rights issue.”
WaterCAN notified affected schools when they found contaminated water and guided them on immediate interventions and long-term engagement with municipalities.
Adam stressed that with over 24 000 schools in South Africa, this project only scratches the surface.
“The findings call for a nationally coordinated school water testing and response programme. Every learner deserves clean, safe access.”
Do you think the government is doing enough to ensure safe drinking water in schools?
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