MZANSI'S water supply faces rapid reduction in the near future.
This is a grim picture painted by water and sanitation deputy minister David Mahlobo amid the water shedding issues facing several parts of the country.
He spoke at the Inaugural Built Environment Indaba hosted by the Black Business Council in the Built Environment in Gauteng on Sunday, 7 April.
Mahlobo warned that water availability in South Africa could decline rapidly due to factors including population growth, inefficient water usage and the impact of climate change.
At the height of these factors, Mahlobo also noted concerns about challenges facing water treatment due to poor performance and aging infrastructure.
“One of the main issues plaguing the water sector is poor performance and adherence to standard operating procedures for drinking water treatment and wastewater treatment.
“Infrastructure is often left in poor condition due to a lack of maintenance, with municipalities failing to hire qualified personnel to oversee these essential processes," Mahlobo said.
Previously, Daily Sun reported how the latest reports released by the Department of Water and Sanitation revealed the decrease in the quality of drinking water since 2014.
This was according to the 2023 Blue Drop Report.
Additionally, 47% of Joburg’s water revenue is lost due to leaks.
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Meanwhile, 29% of the water supply systems are in a critical state due to poor infrastructure maintenance and water treatment processes.
Mahlobo also noted, with concern, how most municipalities are swimming in debt of around R19 billion owed to water boards.
“Weak billing and revenue collection, as well as inadequate budget prioritisation for maintenance and operations by municipal councils, further exacerbate challenges faced by the sector,” he said.
While Mahlobo confirmed that water security and the supply of raw water are currently in balance with the existing demand at national level, he emphasised the importance of diversifying South Africa's water resource mix for water security to deal with the water crisis.
“It’s crucial to broaden the water resource mix through sustainable use of groundwater, desalination of seawater (even though technology remains expensive), water reuse from treated wastewater systems, and water reclamation,” Mahlobo said.
Meanwhile, the deputy minister said that National Treasury allocated water and sanitation infrastructure grants worth more than R20 billion to municipalities per annum, and provided technical and engineering support and assistance, capacity building and training and financial management advice and support.
