Green Drop Certification of Wastewater Treatment Plants in South Africa – An Initiative to Reduce Drinking Water Sources Pollution and Bedrock of Wastewater Reuse

South Africa has one of the largest wastewater management authorities in Africa with approximately 850 registered wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) that treats an average of 7 589Ml wastewater daily with extensive pipe networks and pump stations to transport and dispose wastewater to and from WWTWs. With the growing awareness on the drinking water sources pollution resulting from the quality of wastewater dispose into sensitive environments, there is an increasing pressure on the wastewater managers to treat wastewater to higher quality levels before discharging into receiving rivers or streams. In rising to this challenge, the department of Water Affairs and Environment (DWAE) has introduces Green Drop Certification process as the first step in multi-barrier system of ensuring safe drinking water quality. This initiative is aimed at solving the problems of non-compliance of municipal wastewater treatment service providers to a disposable quality that will minimize risks to receiving water bodies and human health. As this trend continues, wastewater reuse will gain popularity as an unconventional source of non-potable water especially in water scarce area of South Africa. This will ensure environmental sustainability, food security and promote economic growth This paper presents Green Drop Evaluation and its possible implication in water supply of the country via wastewater reuse.