A Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation has pinpointed the largely skewed history in relations to water rights in the country as the basis for most problems within the sector.

The committee says it has long held the view of the need for increased investment in water related infrastructure development and improvement in maintenance of the existing infrastructure to increase its lifespan.

It is for this reason that the Committee has over this first year of the 5th Parliament emphasised the completion of a water master plan as a tool to remedy this issue.

“It is our considered view that despite various interventions through policy and legislation the country’s water rights regime remains largely skewed leaving government at the mercy of private owners of this resource.

“The Committee is of the view that there is a need for a speedy review of the National Water Act and Water Services Act to address issues of inequity within the sector to be in line with the constitutional requirement of water being a human right,” says Mlungisi Johnson.

Furthermore, while the Committee accedes to the centrality of all levels of government in dealing with water related challenges it considers the absolute placement of this responsibility on the state as unfortunate.

Water is not a political football

The Committee believes that for these challenges to be overcome; everyone in the country must contribute to finding effective solutions.

The Committee cautions political role players against turning water, a finite resource, into a political football.

Instead they must use their platforms to condemn challenges such as theft of water as well as theft and vandalism of water related infrastructure thereby making a positive contribution to efforts to deal with any water related challenges.

“The preservation of water resources starts with an individual. It is through reporting any leaks to ensuring that they don’t leave taps open and water running that the battle will be half won. The citizens of this country need to take a conscious decision to actively participate in actions to conserve water,” Johnson emphasises.

The Committee also calls on all political players and leaders of society in the country to contribute to the general education of citizens rather than champion doomsday theories.

“On its part the Committee will through its work continue to champion efforts of finding lasting solutions to challenges of infrastructure development and maintenance of existing infrastructure,” Johnson concludes.