The Department of Water Affairs in SA has a Blue Drop Report which enables consumers to see the result of government water surveys of their area. But it is not a particularly transparent report and is not regularly updated for all regions. By contrast, the EPA publishes on its website an annual list for every region of the USA with results of local water testing. Of the approx 75 000 toxic chemicals used in society the EPA has set MCLs (maximum contamination levels) for 87, based on their effect on a 175 lb adult. Each substance is tested separately with no adjustment for accumulated effects or for the impact on children. Pollutants are divided into micro organisms, disinfectants, disinfectant byproducts, organic chemicals and inorganic chemicals. BPA (bisphenol A) and phthalates from plastics do not even make it onto the contaminant list, although scientific evidence is gaining momentum that these products, from common plastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC with a resin code of 3) and polycarbonates (7), cause hormone changes and contribute towards cancer, fetal abnormalities and reduced immunity. Nor do these pollutants appear among the approx. 1000 chemicals on the updated PROP 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer and reproductive abnormalities, published by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment in California. They do not appear on the SA list. Surveys on surface water in South Africa have demonstrated toxic materials well in excess of prescribed amounts.
