70% Of South Africa’s Municipalities Score Less Than Average On Their Water And Sanitation Assessments - Infrastructure news
Home

70% Of South Africa’s Municipalities Score Less Than Average On Their Water And Sanitation Assessments

Dec 10, 2025 | Legislation Water

Water, its infrastructure and its delivery have taken a priority position in South Africa’s agenda. While the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) acts as custodians of the country’s water, delivery is done by the local government. 

These local municipalities typically act as Water Service Authorities (WSAs) and are responsible for providing water and sanitation services to residents within their jurisdiction. 

While the mandate is clear, municipalities are struggling with non-payment, water loss, non-revenue water, poorly maintained infrastructure, and a lack of accountability. The lack of financial security in water means water boards are operating in a high-risk environment, while municipalities still have to provide water to their residents. 

The Blue and Green Drop reports are comprehensive assessments done within municipalities to assess their water delivery and sanitation, respectively. The report details quality, compliance, operations, as well as other detailed and technical data. Using the data gathered in the 2023 Blue Drop and 2022 Green Drop reports, DWS has identified 105 of the worst-performing municipalities out of 144  water service authorities. Of the 105, 67 are ‘critical’, and 38 are ‘poor’, meaning that 70% of the WSAs in South Africa are not achieving an average score, and 46% are in a critical condition. 

Below are the lists for both critical and poor-performing municipalities. 

Critically performing municipalities as identified in the 2023 Blue and Green Drop reports

Eastern Cape

  • Blue Crane Route LM
  • Dr Beyers Naude LM
  • Koukamma LM
  • Kouga LM
  • Makana LM
  • Ndlambe LM
  • Sundays River Valley LM
Free State

  • Kopanong LM
  • Mafube LM
  • Maluti–a–Phofung LM
  • Mantsopa LM
  • Masilonyana LM
  • Matjhabeng LM
  • Metsimaholo LM
  • Mohokare LM
  • Moqhaka LM
  • Nala LM
  • Ngwathe LM
  • Phumelela LM
  • Setsoto LM
  • Tokologo LM
Gauteng

  • Merafong LM
  • Rand West LM
KwaZulu-Natal

  • Umkhanyakude DM
  • Umzinyathi DM
  • Zululand DM
Limpopo

  • Mogalakwena LM
  • Polokwane LM
  • Thabazimbi LM
  • Vhembe DM 
Mpumalanga

  • Albert Luthuli LM
  • Bushbuckridge LM
  • Dipaleseng LM
  • Lekwa LM
  • Msukaligwa LM
  • Pixley Ka Seme LM
  • Thaba Chweu LM 

Northern Cape

  • !Kai! Garib LM
  • !Kheis LM
  • Dikgatlong LM
  • Emthanjeni LM
  • Ga-Segonyana LM
  • Gamagara LM
  • Joe Morolong LM
  • Kamiesberg LM
  • Kareeberg LM
  • Karoo Hoogland LM
  • Kgatelopele LM
  • Khai-Ma LM
  • Magareng LM
  • Nama Khoi LM
  • Phokwane LM
  • Renosterberg LM
  • Richtersveld LM
  • Siyancuma LM
  • Ubuntu LM
  • Umsobomvu LM 

North West

  • Dr Ruth S Mompati DM
  • Kgetlengrivier LM
  • Maquassi Hills LM
  • Moretele LM
  • Moses Kotane LM
  • Ngaka Modiri Molema DM 
Western Cape

  • Kannaland LM
  • Langeberg LM
  • Prince Albert LM
  • Swellendam LM

Poorly performing municipalities, as identified in the 2023 Blue and Green Drop reports

Eastern Cape

  • Alfred Nzo DM
  • Chris Hani DM
  • Joe Gqabi DM
  • O R Tambo DM (EC)
Free State

  • Dihlabeng LM 
  • Letsemeng LM
  • Mangaung Metro
  • Nketoana LM 
  • Tswelopele LM
Gauteng 

  • Emfuleni LM (GP)
KwaZulu-Natal

  • Amajuba DM
  • King Cetshwayo DM
  • uThukela DM
  • Ugu DM
Limpopo

  • Bela-Bela LM
  • Capricorn DM
  • Greater Sekhukhune DM
  • Lephalale LM
  • Modimolle-Mookgophong LM 
  • Mopani DM
Mpumalanga

  • Dr J S Moroka LM 
  • Emakhazeni LM
  • Emalahleni LM
  • Govan Mbeki LM 
  • Thembisile LM
  • Victor Khanye LM 
Northern Cape

  • Hantam LM
  • Siyathemba LM
  • Sol Plaatjie LM
  • Thembelihle LM 
  • Tsantsabane LM
North West

  • Madibeng LM
  • Matlosana LM  
Western Cape

  • Cederberg LM 
  • Hessequa LM
  • Laingsburg LM 
  • Matzikama LM
  • Oudshoorn LM  
Water, its infrastructure and its delivery have taken a priority position in South Africa’s agenda. While the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) acts as custodians of the country’s water, delivery is done by local government. 

These local municipalities typically act as Water Service Authorities (WSAs) and are responsible for providing water and sanitation services to residents within their jurisdiction. 

While the mandate is clear, municipalities are struggling with non-payment, water loss, non-revenue water, poorly maintained infrastructure, and a lack of accountability. The lack of financial security in water means water boards are operating in a high-risk environment, while municipalities still have to provide water to their residents. 

The Blue and Green Drop reports are comprehensive assessments done within municipalities to assess their water delivery and sanitation, respectively. The report details quality, compliance, operations, as well as other detailed and technical data. Using the data gathered in the 2023 Blue Drop and 2022 Green Drop reports, DWS has identified 105 of the worst-performing municipalities out of 144  water service authorities. Of the 105, 67 are ‘critical’, and 38 are ‘poor’, meaning that 70% of the WSAs in South Africa are not achieving an average score, and 46% are in a critical condition. 

Below are the lists for both critical and poor-performing municipalities. 

Critically performing municipalities as identified in the 2023 Blue and 2022 Green Drop reports

Eastern Cape

  • Blue Crane Route LM
  • Dr Beyers Naude LM
  • Koukamma LM
  • Kouga LM
  • Makana LM
  • Ndlambe LM
  • Sundays River Valley LM
Free State

  • Kopanong LM
  • Mafube LM
  • Maluti–a–Phofung LM
  • Mantsopa LM
  • Masilonyana LM
  • Matjhabeng LM
  • Metsimaholo LM
  • Mohokare LM
  • Moqhaka LM
  • Nala LM
  • Ngwathe LM
  • Phumelela LM
  • Setsoto LM
  • Tokologo LM
Gauteng

  • Merafong LM
  • Rand West LM
KwaZulu-Natal

  • Umkhanyakude DM
  • Umzinyathi DM
  • Zululand DM
Limpopo

  • Mogalakwena LM
  • Polokwane LM
  • Thabazimbi LM
  • Vhembe DM 
Mpumalanga

  • Albert Luthuli LM
  • Bushbuckridge LM
  • Dipaleseng LM
  • Lekwa LM
  • Msukaligwa LM
  • Pixley Ka Seme LM
  • Thaba Chweu LM 

Northern Cape

  • !Kai! Garib LM
  • !Kheis LM
  • Dikgatlong LM
  • Emthanjeni LM
  • Ga-Segonyana LM
  • Gamagara LM
  • Joe Morolong LM
  • Kamiesberg LM
  • Kareeberg LM
  • Karoo Hoogland LM
  • Kgatelopele LM
  • Khai-Ma LM
  • Magareng LM
  • Nama Khoi LM
  • Phokwane LM
  • Renosterberg LM
  • Richtersveld LM
  • Siyancuma LM
  • Ubuntu LM
  • Umsobomvu LM 
 

North West

  • Dr. Ruth S Mompati DM
  • Kgetlengrivier LM
  • Maquassi Hills LM
  • Moretele LM
  • Moses Kotane LM
  • Ngaka Modiri Molema DM 

Western Cape

  • Kannaland LM
  • Langeberg LM
  • Prince Albert LM
  • Swellendam LM
Poorly performing municipalities, as identified in the 2023 Blue and 2022 Green Drop reports

(EC) – Eastern Cape

  • Alfred Nzo DM
  • Chris Hani DM
  • Joe Gqabi DM
  • O R Tambo DM (EC)

Free State

  • Dihlabeng LM 
  • Letsemeng LM
  • Mangaung Metro
  • Nketoana LM 
  • Tswelopele LM
Gauteng 

  • Emfuleni LM (GP)

KwaZulu-Natal

  • Amajuba DM
  • King Cetshwayo DM
  • uThukela DM
  • Ugu DM
Limpopo

  • Bela-Bela LM
  • Capricorn DM
  • Greater Sekhukhune DM
  • Lephalale LM
  • Modimolle-Mookgophong LM 
  • Mopani DM
Mpumalanga

  • Dr J S Moroka LM 
  • Emakhazeni LM
  • Emalahleni LM
  • Govan Mbeki LM 
  • Thembisile LM
  • Victor Khanye LM 
Northern Cape

  • Hantam LM
  • Siyathemba LM
  • Sol Plaatjie LM
  • Thembelihle LM 
  • Tsantsabane LM
North West

  • Madibeng LM
  • Matlosana LM  
Western Cape

  • Cederberg LM 
  • Hessequa LM
  • Laingsburg LM 
  • Matzikama LM
  • Oudshoorn LM  
Water, its infrastructure and its delivery have taken a priority position in South Africa’s agenda. While the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) acts as custodians of the country’s water, delivery is done by local government. 

These local municipalities typically act as Water Service Authorities (WSAs) and are responsible for providing water and sanitation services to residents within their jurisdiction. 

While the mandate is clear, municipalities are struggling with non-payment, water loss, non-revenue water, poorly maintained infrastructure, and a lack of accountability. The lack of financial security in water means water boards are operating in a high-risk environment, while municipalities still have to provide water to their residents. 

The Blue and Green Drop reports are comprehensive assessments done within municipalities to assess their water delivery and sanitation, respectively. The report details quality, compliance, operations, as well as other detailed and technical data. Using the data gathered in the 2023 Blue Drop and 2022 Green Drop reports, DWS has identified 105 of the worst-performing municipalities out of 144  water service authorities. Of the 105, 67 are ‘critical’, and 38 are ‘poor’, meaning that 70% of the WSAs in South Africa are not achieving an average score, and 46% are in a critical condition. 

Below are the lists for both critical and poor-performing municipalities. 

Critically performing municipalities as identified in the 2023 Blue and 2022 Green Drop reports

Eastern Cape

  • Blue Crane Route LM
  • Dr Beyers Naude LM
  • Koukamma LM
  • Kouga LM
  • Makana LM
  • Ndlambe LM
  • Sundays River Valley LM
Free State

  • Kopanong LM
  • Mafube LM
  • Maluti–a–Phofung LM
  • Mantsopa LM
  • Masilonyana LM
  • Matjhabeng LM
  • Metsimaholo LM
  • Mohokare LM
  • Moqhaka LM
  • Nala LM
  • Ngwathe LM
  • Phumelela LM
  • Setsoto LM
  • Tokologo LM
Gauteng

  • Merafong LM
  • Rand West LM
KwaZulu-Natal

  • Umkhanyakude DM
  • Umzinyathi DM
  • Zululand DM
Limpopo

  • Mogalakwena LM
  • Polokwane LM
  • Thabazimbi LM
  • Vhembe DM 
Mpumalanga

  • Albert Luthuli LM
  • Bushbuckridge LM
  • Dipaleseng LM
  • Lekwa LM
  • Msukaligwa LM
  • Pixley Ka Seme LM
  • Thaba Chweu LM 
Northern Cape

  • !Kai! Garib LM
  • !Kheis LM
  • Dikgatlong LM
  • Emthanjeni LM
  • Ga-Segonyana LM
  • Gamagara LM
  • Joe Morolong LM
  • Kamiesberg LM
  • Kareeberg LM
  • Karoo Hoogland LM
  • Kgatelopele LM
  • Khai-Ma LM
  • Magareng LM
  • Nama Khoi LM
  • Phokwane LM
  • Renosterberg LM
  • Richtersveld LM
  • Siyancuma LM
  • Ubuntu LM
  • Umsobomvu LM 
North West

  • Dr. Ruth S Mompati DM
  • Kgetlengrivier LM
  • Maquassi Hills LM
  • Moretele LM
  • Moses Kotane LM
  • Ngaka Modiri Molema DM 
Western Cape

  • Kannaland LM
  • Langeberg LM
  • Prince Albert LM
  • Swellendam LM

Municipalities are struggling with non-payment, water loss, non-revenue water, poorly maintained infrastructure, and a lack of accountability

Poorly performing municipalities, as identified in the 2023 Blue and 2022 Green Drop reports

Eastern Cape

  • Alfred Nzo DM
  • Chris Hani DM
  • Joe Gqabi DM
  • O R Tambo DM (EC)
Free State

  • Dihlabeng LM 
  • Letsemeng LM
  • Mangaung Metro
  • Nketoana LM 
  • Tswelopele LM
Gauteng 

  • Emfuleni LM (GP)
KwaZulu-Natal

  • Amajuba DM
  • King Cetshwayo DM
  • uThukela DM
  • Ugu DM
Limpopo

  • Bela-Bela LM
  • Capricorn DM
  • Greater Sekhukhune DM
  • Lephalale LM
  • Modimolle-Mookgophong LM 
  • Mopani DM
Mpumalanga

  • Dr J S Moroka LM 
  • Emakhazeni LM
  • Emalahleni LM
  • Govan Mbeki LM 
  • Thembisile LM
  • Victor Khanye LM 
Northern Cape

  • Hantam LM
  • Siyathemba LM
  • Sol Plaatjie LM
  • Thembelihle LM 
  • Tsantsabane LM
North West

  • Madibeng LM
  • Matlosana LM  
Western Cape

  • Cederberg LM 
  • Hessequa LM
  • Laingsburg LM 
  • Matzikama LM
  • Oudshoorn LM  

If your municipality is on the list it is in your interests to check to see if any progress was made in the next Blue and Green Drop report

Additional Reading?

Request Free Copy

Related Articles

@2025 Infrastructure News Pty (Ltd)