In South Africa, water is not merely a utility; it is a constitutional promise. Section 27 of the Bill of Rights explicitly guarantees that ‘everyone has the right to have access to sufficient food and water.’ Yet, as the latest regulatory audits reveal, the distance between this legal right and the daily reality for millions is widening. The key to closing this gap lies not only in fixing ageing pipes but in the professionalisation of the human element within the sector – the process controllers.

The release of the Blue Drop (drinking water) and Green Drop (wastewater) reports by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has painted a stark picture. According to the 2023/2024 Blue Drop report findings, drinking water quality has regressed severely. In 2014, only 5% of systems showed poor microbiological compliance; by 2023, this figure skyrocketed to 46%.

Only 26 systems nationwide achieved the prestigious Blue Drop Certification for excellence. Similarly, Green Drop report findings indicate that the situation in wastewater treatment is even more dire, with 64% of wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) identified as being at high or critical risk of discharging untreated or partially treated sewage into our rivers. Wastewater mismanagement poses a direct threat to the Right to a Clean Environment (Section 24).

These are not just technical failures; they are human rights violations. Unfortunately, when a municipality fails to treat water, it violates the right to health and a clean environment. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has noted that this downward spiral directly impacts the dignity and physical security of the most vulnerable.

A critical takeaway from the Blue Drop assessment is that 85% of infrastructure is in average or better condition. This reveals an uncomfortable truth; the primary cause of failure is often a lack of skilled staff and proper process control rather than broken pumps alone.

Regulation 3630

To address this, Regulation 3630 has become a line in the sand. Promulgated in 2023, it mandates that every water treatment facility must be overseen by a senior Professional Process Controller (Pr.PC.Water) registered with the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA). By June 2025, this professionalisation became a legal requirement, moving the role of the process controller from an unrecognised technical worker to a legally accountable professional.

Central to this shift is the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). As a primary feeder for the sector, TUT’s Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences serves as the academic engine room for the industry. TUT provides NQF-aligned qualifications that enable a new, diverse generation of women and youth to enter this sector with the technical knowledge and skills.

The process controller is the frontline guardian of the water rights. When a process controller is professionally registered, they are bound by a code of conduct and are required to engage in continuous professional development. This professionalisation ensures that technical roles are filled on the basis of competency, and individuals are held accountable to national safety standards. Furthermore, ensuring that rural and township plants receive the same calibre of technical oversight as those in major metros.

Expert insights by Fezeka Zwane, WISA: Process Controller Division: Gauteng Pr Lead and Tshwane University of Technology: Lecture in Water Science and Technology