Johannesburg: Tackling the significant challenges in South Africa’s water and sanitation sector requires increased investment in infrastructure and sustainable water management to ensure a secure supply for everyone, Deputy President Paul Mashatile said.
According to South African Government News Agency, Deputy President Mashatile emphasized the importance of the dialogue organized by the Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa (AWSISA) as a crucial step in addressing the country’s water crisis. The AWSISA acts as a strategic entity overseeing the entire water sector, from resource management to service delivery.
South Africa is grappling with severe water insecurity, driven by factors such as climate change, outdated infrastructure, socio-economic disparities, and inefficient municipal management. The Deputy President highlighted the country’s low average annual rainfall of 497 mm, which contributes to water scarcity, further intensified by extreme weather events like Cape Town’s ‘Day Zero’ drought and recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal. These events disrupt water availability and quality, posing significant challenges to the population.
Ageing infrastructure has resulted in Non-Revenue Water (NRW) rates reaching as high as 40 to 50% in certain areas, primarily due to leaks, inefficiencies, and illegal connections. This situation incurs substantial financial losses annually and impedes investments in water expansion projects. To address these challenges, the government has enacted the Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Act, aimed at centralizing water infrastructure management and funding. Additionally, the National Water Safety Management Programme seeks to recruit 15,000 skilled water professionals by 2030 to improve municipal governance and service delivery.
As the demand for water continues to rise due to population growth and urbanization, Deputy President Mashatile stressed the importance of addressing these challenges to ensure health, sanitation, and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals related to clean water access.
The Deputy President expressed confidence that the dialogue would promote direct, outcome-focused collaborations among various stakeholders, including the Department of Water and Sanitation, Water Boards, regulatory bodies, and local municipalities. He emphasized the need for establishing transparent and strategic public-private partnerships to secure the capital required for achieving the objectives set in the National Water Resource Strategy III.
Deputy President Mashatile also underscored the importance of adopting best practices from Africa and the Global South to mitigate water loss. Implementing measures such as reducing water consumption, promoting water reuse and recycling, and rainwater harvesting is crucial for environmental safety and future water security. These actions are vital not only for the financial sustainability of water utilities but also for public health protection.
He called upon the African continent to commit to the Africa Water Vision 2063, which provides a framework for a unified, long-term approach to water security. This involves shifting from fragmented responses to collective action, focusing on sustainable solutions that guarantee universal access to clean water and sanitation, especially for marginalized and vulnerable populations.
Deputy President Mashatile concluded by emphasizing that access to vital water resources enhances health, well-being, social equity, and justice, essential for community development and sustainability. He urged delegates to work together to ensure that water becomes a fundamental human right for all, rather than a privilege.