The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in South Africa is making significant strides in water industry reforms and infrastructure projects. They have established the National Water Infrastructure Agency (NWRIA) to oversee the building, operation, financing, and maintenance of national water resources infrastructure assets. Additionally, Water Boards and Catchment Management Agencies are being reconfigured for better efficiency.
To support municipalities in forging partnerships with the private sector, the DWS has set up the Water Partnership Office within the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA). This will enable increased private sector investment in water services and help municipalities leverage private sector expertise and management capacity.
Despite ongoing challenges in collecting revenue from municipalities, more than 90% of South African households now have access to at least a Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) level of water supply service. The DWS is prioritizing efforts to provide access to the remaining 10% of households and improve the reliability of water supply.
To further streamline processes, the department has cleared the backlog in issuing water use licenses within 90 days, as stated by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his 2023 State of the Nation Address. This achievement is expected to have a positive impact on business and industry, and it is a result of cooperative efforts between the DWS and Operation Vulindlela. South Africa’s water sector continues to progress, with ongoing reforms and infrastructure improvements aiming to ensure sustainable and reliable water supply while promoting economic growth and job creation.
The quest to better South Africa’s water sector is in progress
