Key Takeaways
- The estimated cost of fixing dilapidated municipal water and sanitation infrastructure in South Africa is R400bn.
- The R400bn estimate only includes the cost of fixing infrastructure in 105 municipalities and does not include the cost of fixing infrastructure in metros or national and regional bulk systems.
- The failure by municipalities to undertake maintenance is a major contributor to the problem of dilapidated water and sanitation infrastructure.
- The government has established a water task team to intervene in crisis areas and investigate what municipalities are doing about maintenance and the replacement of old infrastructure.
- 67 out of 144 water service authorities were found to be in a critical state, while a further 38 scored poor, according to the 2023 Blue Drop and 2022 Green Drop reports.
Introduction to the Problem
The cost of fixing dilapidated municipal water and sanitation infrastructure in South Africa is estimated to be R400bn. This staggering amount only includes the cost of fixing infrastructure in 105 municipalities and does not include the cost of fixing infrastructure in metros or national and regional bulk systems. The problem of dilapidated water and sanitation infrastructure is a nationwide issue, with many communities experiencing disruptions to their water supply and the release of sewage in public spaces. Gauteng, in particular, has been plagued by water shortages, while eThekwini has suffered from infrastructure failures leading to excessive water losses and sewer leakages, which have polluted rivers, streams, and beaches.
Causes of the Problem
The failure by municipalities to undertake maintenance is a major contributor to the problem of dilapidated water and sanitation infrastructure. According to Water & Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, the decline in water and sanitation services is mainly attributed to municipalities not prioritizing funding for operations and maintenance. This lack of maintenance has led to a backlog of R400bn in water and sanitation infrastructure, which includes the investment required to restore assets to acceptable condition, refurbish old infrastructure, reduce water losses, address non-compliance, and expand capacity where required.
Government Response
In response to the crisis, President Cyril Ramaphosa established a water task team under the leadership of Deputy President Paul Mashatile to intervene in crisis areas throughout the country and to investigate what municipalities are doing about maintenance and the replacement of old infrastructure. The government is also providing infrastructure finance through dedicated grants, as well as technical support to municipalities experiencing water challenges. Mashatile has emphasized the need for urgent action to renew infrastructure and prevent pollution in river systems, which supply the water that people drink in cities.
Assessments and Evaluations
The Green Drop and Blue Drop assessments by the Department of Water and Sanitation were resuscitated in 2021 to evaluate the state of all wastewater and drinking water treatment systems in the country. These assessments include evaluations of the condition of the infrastructure, whether the capacity of the infrastructure is sufficient to deal with the demand, whether the required maintenance is being done, and whether the infrastructure is operated correctly. The 2023 Blue Drop and 2022 Green Drop reports found that 67 out of 144 water service authorities were in a critical state, while a further 38 scored poor. These assessments provide a comprehensive picture of the state of water and sanitation infrastructure in South Africa and highlight the need for urgent action to address the problem.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the efforts of the government to address the problem, there are significant challenges ahead. The fiscal constraints that limit the government’s capacity to meet a range of national challenges mean that it could take years to address the problem of dilapidated water and sanitation infrastructure. The government will need to prioritize funding for operations and maintenance, as well as invest in new infrastructure to expand capacity and reduce water losses. The establishment of the water task team and the provision of infrastructure finance and technical support are important steps towards addressing the problem, but more needs to be done to ensure that all communities have access to clean and safe water.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the problem of dilapidated municipal water and sanitation infrastructure in South Africa is a complex and challenging issue that requires urgent attention. The estimated cost of fixing the problem is R400bn, which only includes the cost of fixing infrastructure in 105 municipalities. The failure by municipalities to undertake maintenance is a major contributor to the problem, and the government needs to prioritize funding for operations and maintenance, as well as invest in new infrastructure to expand capacity and reduce water losses. The establishment of the water task team and the provision of infrastructure finance and technical support are important steps towards addressing the problem, but more needs to be done to ensure that all communities have access to clean and safe water.