MINISTER of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie has directed the political and administrative leadership of all local authorities to ensure standards are maintained in the trucking of water.

There is expected to be an increase in the transportation of water under the Drought Alleviation Programme, but the minister wants this to be done “in total and unwavering compliance with the standards of hygiene required by their public health departments”.

Said the minister: “These instructions have come amid reports that unscrupulous persons have been trying to collect and deliver water to drought-affected communities without thoroughly sterilising the trucks to be used.

“While I am aware that there is a shortage of trucks to deliver water at the pace that we want, I also want to be unequivocal about the fact that standards of cleanliness must be met and exceeded. The health departments in every municipality have documented standards for the cleansing of the tanks of vehicles that are used to store and deliver potable water and they must not be breached. I will not allow a health crisis to emerge out of the Government’s earnest efforts to address the issue of drought.

“The municipalities must see to it that the Drought Alleviation Programme is properly administered in their jurisdictions. I also want to warn that I will expose any municipal corporation that is found to be breaching the health standards,” McKenzie warned.

The minister said the Government’s responsiveness to people in drought-affected communities cannot be undermined by any doubt about the quality of the water delivered to them.

“People expect to use the water trucked to them with confidence. We cannot endanger their health on the basis that they need to get the commodity quickly. In fact, the strict adherence to public health standards does not in any way hinder the rapid delivery of water to our citizens. I, therefore, expect that all who are in need will receive clean water. I also want to assure the public that the Government continues to monitor the drought situation, and will implement further alleviation measures if circumstances require.”