The Department of Water and Sanitation says it is working towards the establishment of a national water regulator.

The announcement follows calls from the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) and Water Shortage South Africa (WSSA) for the establishment of an independent water regulator.

In a statement released last week, the department noted that the establishment of á regulatory body for the water sector was part of ongoing work that the department and the entire water industry were tasked with.

The department said that while it had noted the civil society organisations’ concerns, the wheels were already in motion as per the 2018 Budget Vote Speech delivered by Minister Gugile Nkwinti.

“As part of his Five Pillar Turnaround Strategy, Minister Nkwinti announced that one of his marching orders would be the establishment of a National Water Resources and Services Regulator for South Africa,” the department said.

In addition to Minister Nkwinti’s announcement of the establishment of the National Water Resources and Services Regulator he also pointed out several other activities as part of his turnaround strategy for the department including:

• National Water Resources and Services Authority
• Water Resources and Services Value Chain
• Water Resources and Services Master Plan
• Institutional Rationalisation and Organisational Alignment

“It is government’s resolve to advocate for civil society organisations to work with government and make meaningful inputs that will assist government to effectively implement its policies for the benefit of the public,” the department noted.