The department of water and sanitation has raised concerns at the level of poor infrastructure like water treatment plants and waste water
treatment plants. Following the department’s indaba recently, more focus would be directed to local government to invest and improve their water infrastructure.
Water and agricultural experts called on the government to deal with the water crisis in the country with urgency as it has a negative impact on farming operations.
“The indaba recognised that, while South Africa is ranked amongst the 30 driest countries globally, the average consumption of water per capita per
day is 218 l/c/d, compared to the international average of 173 l/c/d. This is not sustainable.
“Our water quality is also deteriorating due to pollution, particularly sewage pollution by municipalities, resulting in polluted rivers and damaged
ecosystems, as well as sewage spillages directly into communities,” the department said in a statement.
Decline in water quality
According to the department, to reverse the decline in water services, there is a need for a whole-of-society approach with a turnaround plan that will ensure sector-wide investment and capacity building, promote innovation and evidence-based actions, and enhance cross-sectoral coordination and cooperation amongst stakeholders. It will result in an integrated approach to water resources and water services planning and management.
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“The department is to finalise amendments to [the] National Water Act and submit [it] to parliament within six months, including legislating the use-it-or-lose it principle for water use licenses,” the department said.
Meanwhile, Janse Rabie, head of AgriSA Natural Resources, said the agricultural sector is extremely dependent on good-quality raw water, which is currently threatened by municipalities’ failures in water purification works.
“AgriSA has been advocating national intervention in this regard for a long time and finds the seriousness of the president’s remarks particularly gratifying.
“Attention should also be paid to the enormous debt municipalities owe to the national government, the development of new water resources including underground water, desalination plants, and improved water purification for reuse) and support from the private sector,” he said.
Inadequate water infrastructure
Rabie noted that although the government has taken significant steps since 1994 to provide water services to most of South Africa’s population, that progress has been largely undone in recent years by drastic declines in water quality.
“Others include infrastructure failure, corruption, mismanagement, and criminality. A big reason for this is the shortage of knowledgeable officials in the water services sector.
“Many of the government infrastructure projects are indeed delayed, and it is clear that infrastructure for drinking water supply in our towns and cities is under severe pressure,” he said.
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