A new report released by WaterCAN today reveals a disturbing truth: 43% of water samples tested from South African schools are unsafe for human consumption, posing a serious threat to the health, dignity, and educational rights of thousands of learners across the country.
You can download the report here.
The results stem from WaterCAN’s School Water Quality Testing Project, undertaken in March 2025 to coincide with World Water Day. Conducted in partnership with the Water Warriors Collective—which includes organisations such as Adopt-a-River, WESSA, the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay Science Centres, and Makhanda River Rescue—the campaign engaged 95 schools across eight provinces, training learners and teachers to test their own water sources using Citizen Science Kits developed by iLAB.
Of the 53 schools that successfully submitted test data:
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73% of JOJO tanks were found to be contaminated with E. coli or coliform bacteria.
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66% of river water and 23% of tap water samples also failed basic health standards.
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In total, 43% of all tested samples were unsafe for drinking.
These findings highlight the systemic neglect of school water infrastructure. Many schools rely on water tanks that are not regularly cleaned or maintained.
In rural and township schools—especially Quintile 1–3 institutions—piped water is intermittent, and sanitation is often substandard or entirely lacking. A staggering 11,000 schools do not have a single flushing toilet, and 383 have no running water at all. In some cases, learners must bring water from home just to meet daily needs.
“This is more than a water issue—it’s a national emergency affecting education, health, gender equity, and basic human dignity,” said Dr Ferrial Adam, Executive Director of WaterCAN. “It is unacceptable that learners are drinking contaminated water and using broken, dangerous toilets while government promises go unmet.”
The project not only raised awareness—it also empowered learners. Children became young water scientists, testing the very water they drink, identifying risks, and uploading their findings to www.watercan.org.za/map for public visibility.
WaterCAN is calling on the Department of Basic Education and local authorities to take immediate action:
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Ensure JOJO tanks are cleaned and maintained regularly.
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Scale up testing and monitoring in all public schools.
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Provide safe, piped water and dignified sanitation.
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Treat this issue as a public health and human rights crisis.
For media enquiries, interviews, or further information:
📞 Jonathan Erasmus – 073 227 6075
📧 media@watercan.org.za
🔗 www.watercan.org.za
#WaterJustice #MapYourWater #YoungWaterWarriors #WaterIsLife #NoMoreUnsafeSchools
