Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane has cautioned the Rand Water board to work more closely with communities and improve on its communication to timeously alert and educate communities on all matter relating to water challenges, including unforeseen water interruptions and remedial steps to be taken.

“Remember that, as a board you have a responsibility towards the communities you serve and to close the disjuncture between your commitment to the communities and what is eventually delivered,” Mokonyane told the board during a meeting between the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Rand Water board late last week.

The meeting was intended to brief Mokonyane on progress made to resolve the ongoing Gauteng water shortages and to chart a way forward.

 

Relook current operation

Tapping into positive reports of the works of Water Boards in other provinces, the minister emphasised the need for the Rand Water board to closely interrogate their current way of doing things and look at how they can be changed and adapted to the benefit of the communities they serve.

Mokonyane further advised Rand Water to work more closely with its stakeholder so that looming problems can be identified and addressed timeously. She added that MECs, mayors, ward councillors and community leaders should be constantly engaged while consumer education and general communication should be bolstered.

 

Addressing the water crisis

To this effect the department is to set up a ‘War-Room’ that involves all these stakeholders. A hotline will also be established to ensure that constant feedback is given. A multi-disciplinary team consisting of all relevant stakeholders will drive the content of the feedback system.

Rand Water has resolved to join a Joint Operations Committee with stakeholders to ensure a co-ordinated effort to address the situation.

The water utility acceded that they may have been internal issues that may have been handled better and vowed that going forth the board will intensely improve on matters of operation. The board further agreed to work on restoring the confidence and hope in all the communities who were affected as well as those who are consumers of the Rand Water services.

Going forward, there will be feedback four times during the day to keep residents up to date with the latest developments in water supply issue.