The Department of Water Affairs (DWA) plans to consolidate its 12 water boards into nine regional water utilities.

The change is yet to be gazetted and may take several years to implement. Some water boards will be merged while others will have their boundaries changed. This is in line with the DWA’s national water resource strategy.

The move could see the Bloem Water Board take responsibility for parts of the water-scarce Northern Cape. “Bloem Water, which is responsible for water supply functions in the southern Free State, can potentially play a role in water services provision in the municipality,” says Water Affairs Minister Edna Molewa. Water affairs officials will consider how Bloem Water’s resources of could be optimised.

Northern Cape regional head of water Abe Abrahams told Business Day, “To make the most of available capacity, it makes sense to include other areas into the water boards. This is especially the case for municipalities that don’t have technical expertise of their own.”

According to Abrahams, Pelladrift Water Board is expected to be consolidated into Sedibeng water board whose responsibilities will be extended. The department is investigating the sustainability of the incorporation before it can take place.