Sacred springs of South Africa—pure waters or polluted? We found tiny bits of plastic in the samples we tested
Sep 19, 2026
Across South Africa, natural springs are more than sources of freshwater. Some are places of healing, spiritual cleansing and rituals, where communities collect water and maintain longstanding cultural connections with the environment. For example, during cleansing rituals, people bathe in or collec
t spring water as a way of seeking spiritual renewal, healing and protection. These are known as sacred springs. ...read more read less