The Blue Drop and Green Drop Certification programmers are forms of Incentive-based Regulation (IBR) pioneered by the South African Water Sector since 2008, when the then Department of Water Affairs (now Water and Sanitation) introduced the initiative.
These programmers up the ante on requirements, global standards and best practice, so as to raise the bar for the management of wastewater and potable water quality in our South Africa – namely, 90% Performance for Green Drop Status and 95% Performance for Blue Drop Status.
The Blue Drop Certification seeks to protect citizens from the hazards associated with contaminated drinking water and the Green Drop Certification seeks to protect the environment from the hazards associated with polluted wastewater or effluent. It sets standards higher than minimum requirements and challenges Water Services Authorities to go the extra mile in a quest for excellence.
As it stands, 48% (566) of supply systems are in the low-risk category, 18% (217) of supply systems are in the medium-risk category, 11% (136) of supply systems are in the high-risk category, and 23% (267) of supply systems are in the critical-risk category.
The Green Drop Report paints a very depressing view as only 23 of 850 (2,3%) sewage plants meet the green drop standards, according to recent reports. The pass rate for sewage works is 90%, but 334 sewage works (64%) achieved less than 31% while the average national score is 37%. The sewage works in the Free State achieved an average of 26% while the sewage works in Northwest achieved 30% and in Limpopo 29%.
Our team of professionals has decades of experience in the mitigation of issues arising from poor performing treatment plants and our service offering, brings a comprehensive approach to problematic systems and maintenance challenges that affect staff and communities.
