Fears around safety of water reuse delaying recycling of water in SA

CAPE TOWN - Convincing South Africans about the safety of water reuse is one of the stumbling blocks delaying the recycling of water in the country.
 
This was revealed at the 14th International Water Association International Conference on Water Reclamation and Reuse currently underway in Cape Town.
 
Global water experts and industry leaders are discussing different methods and technologies that can be used to recycle water.
  
Water Research Commission CEO Dr Jennifer Molwantwa said that fears associated with water reuse or recycling were one of the obstacles delaying water reuse projects from getting off the ground in South Africa.
  
"We have to also appeal to the media in terms of the discourse around changing this myth around water reuse, that people would get sick."
 
She said that compliance was non-negotiable.
 
"We have to have safety standards measures in place. We have to ensure that there is no doubt around that."
 
Molwantwa said it was important to get the buy in from communities for projects of this nature to be successful.