Stakeholders commit to improved water services for all 

Stakeholders in the water sector have committed to collaborative efforts to implement tangible plans and reforms outlined at the recent Water and Sanitation Indaba aimed at improving water security and services for all citizens.

This pledge was made on the final day of the two-day Water and Sanitation Indaba, held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg, from 27-28 March 2025.

At the Indaba, stakeholders including government representatives, agreed to work together and hold each other accountable for their actions and commitments. Stakeholders also agreed to increase investment in water research and development as well as technological transfer.

They also agreed to recognise the existing body of knowledge including indigenous systems as well as promote the inclusion of women, youth, and people with disabilities in the water and sanitation sector.

Several key resolutions were also made during the event, including a commitment by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to finalise the establishment of the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency by mid-2026, and the creation of Catchment Management Agencies, set to be completed by July 2025.

The Water Service Authorities (WSAs) pledged to adopt a utility model for water and sanitation to ensure operational efficiency while maintaining municipal ownership, to be implemented within three years.

A utility can be a ring-fenced internal department, municipal entity, water board, special purpose vehicle, or concession, amongst other options.

Additionally, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), in collaboration with the Departments of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and DWS, committed to implement a coordinated Municipal Systems Act Section 78 consultative process, according to the timeframes in the plan. This process will facilitate the appointment of capable Water Service Providers (WSPs). This should lead to the appointment of capable Water Service Providers (WSPs).

In line with good governance and legal compliance, it was resolved that all WSAs must separate their WSA and WSP functions, accounting for them independently within one year. Resolutions on this matter should be presented to Council within three months.

The metropolitan municipalities were also tasked to implement the Reform of Metropolitan Trading Services Programme. This includes establishing or appointing ring-fenced, professionally managed utilities, either internal or external, for water and sanitation services within two years, with support from National Treasury and relevant departments.

Stakeholders also agreed that COGTA should review the current local government structure including the appropriateness of the two-tier system, followed by the review of the allocation of WSA status to municipalities.

Furthermore, the DWS committed to finalise the amendments to the Water Services Act for tabling to Parliament by May 2025.

“Following this, [the] DWS [is] to put in place an operating licensing system for Water Services Providers by June 2026. DWS to provide guidance to WSAs on the different options for external WSPs, on request from April 2025, and to issue guidelines on the roles and functions of WSAs versus WSPs by April 2025.

“[The] DWS and AWSISA [Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa] to develop a plan for building Water Boards’ capacity and readiness to provide a retail WSP function to WSAs if requested, informed by a capacity assessment of the Water Boards, by end July 2025,” the declaration read.

Non-revenue water programmes 

Meanwhile, all WSAs and WSPs that have not yet established non-revenue water programmes, will be required to have these in place by May 2025.

These programmes should cover:

•    Budgets for maintenance and for reducing leaks in water distribution systems;
•    Ensuring that all reported leaks are fixed quickly;
•    Closing illegal water connections; 
•    Replacing old leaking pipes, including asbestos pipes (which are a danger to health);
•    Improving management of water systems (through pressure management for example); and
•    Strengthening metering, billing, and revenue collection, including ensuring that billing systems are accurate.

All WSAs that have not yet ring-fenced revenues from the sale of water for the water function, will be required to bring resolutions to their Councils within six months.  The DWS will facilitate provincial workshops with all WSAs in each province to develop a common understanding of “ring-fencing.”

“All WSAs to review their indigent registers and ensure the provision of free basic water to the indigent within two years. All other water users to be billed and revenue to be collected from all other users. DWS and the Water Partnerships Office to develop Green and Blue Bond financing mechanisms with the private sector, for implementation by Catchment Management Agencies and WSAs, starting immediately.”

In his weekly newsletter on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said a well-functioning water and sanitation sector is not only a constitutional right and a pillar of development, but also a crucial factor in driving economic growth and job creation.

READ | Water and sanitation sector is a key cog in economic growth 

President Ramaphosa underscored the importance of efficient water management in boosting investor confidence and ensuring sustainable development. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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