South African Water Affairs has confirmed that the tap water is safe to drink in all the 2010 Soccer World Cup host cities: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Nelspruit, Rustenburg and Polokwane.

According to Water Affairs Minister, Buyelwa Sonjica, all the Host Cities have achieved "Blue Drop" status, according to the 2010 Host Cities Drinking Water Quality Management Audit Report.

Blue Drop status means that a city has scored 95 % or more in compliance with chemical and microbiological standards.

The report confirmed the Blue Drop scores achieved by each city - including 98.39 % for Johannesburg, 96.36 % for Tshwane/Pretoria, and 95.05 % for Mangaung/Bloemfontein.

Audits of the host cities were carried out between October 2009 and February 2010 and showed a 'remarkable improvement' in drinking water quality across the country.

Water Affairs has recently developed a "My Water" web page in response to concerns. Visitors and residents can visit this site and check on the quality of tap water in any South African town or city in which they live, or are planning to visit.

Towns and cities with less than 97 % microbiological compliance will be flagged with a red triangle - making bottled water the preferred option in those places.

Visit My Water http://www.dwaf.gov.za/dir_ws/DWQR/default.asp?PageID=7&PageHeading=My%20Water to check the quality of drinking water wherever in South Africa you may be.