The African Water and Sanitation Industry Association (AWSISA) is deeply concerned about the critical state of South Africa’s water sector, which is being exacerbated by the failure of municipalities to manage water resources effectively.
Despite receiving various grants from the national government, municipalities are failing to invest in and maintain their water infrastructure, leading to a significant loss of water. In Gauteng, for example, municipalities lose approximately 2.6 billion litres of water per day. This staggering loss is a stark reminder of the inefficiencies and mismanagement of water resources by municipalities.
The situation is dire, and it is imperative that municipalities take their responsibilities as water service authorities seriously. Municipalities owe water boards over R25 billion, and this threatens the water sector’s financial sustainability.
AWSISA is also concerned that the failure to maintain and repair municipal water infrastructure means that no matter how much water is put into the system, it ends up being lost, often literally, into the ground. Accordingly, consistent power supply is important for continuous water supply. However, intermittent power supply from municipalities continues to hinder effective treatment and supply of water. To address the financial sustainability challenges facing municipalities, AWSISA emphasises that the culture of non-payment by citizens must be changed. Government departments and businesses must also act responsibly by paying their municipal bills timeously. AWISISA urges provincial and national governments, the business sector, and citizens to hold municipalities accountable for their role in the water crisis. It is imperative that we work together to address the root causes of the problem and ensure that municipalities are equipped to manage water resources effectively
