The Progress Assessment Tool for the2014 Green Drop process is going to start in September 2013, with municipalities expected to respond by December 2013, according to Solomon Makate, Department of Water Affairs: National.

Makate was heading a workshop on the 2014 Green Drop Progress Requirements on the opening day of the 4^th Municipal Water Quality Conference currently being held at Sun City from the 7^th to 11^th July 2013. Approximately 1100 delegates are reported to be attending the Conference from all avenues of the water industry. The conference has been convened under the theme “Together committed to excellent Water Quality for the future.”

Makate further added that while the criteria for the Green Drop process has not changed, the audit period runs from 1 July 2012 to 30 June2013. The scorecards are to be pre-populated by the Department, with the onus on the participating municipalities to confirm the information is correct.

Efforts to focus on the 2014 Green Drop Report process have however been largely overshadowed by the announcement at the opening session of the Conference that the 2012 Green Drop Results would not be released as previously expected at the Awards Dinner on Wednesday, 10 July 2013. The announcement was made by Thandeka Mbassa, Deputy Director General: Regions for the Department of Water Affairs.

Speaking at the Gala Evening on Wednesday 10 July 2013, Minister of Water & Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa acknowledged the disappointment of the Green Drop Report participants, while assuring them that the Report had not vanished and would remain as is.

According to Molewa she was not surprised at their disappointment and was herself disappointed too, however the circumstances around the delay were beyond her control. The Report will be released as soon as further verification processes have been completed, including the submission to cabinet which should be in 3 months, said Molewa.

“Only when each and every one of us plays a leadership role together, we can do more,” concluded Molewa.