The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, has conformed a National Water action plan. The plan focuses on fixing weak municipal management, improving accountability, and protecting water revenue so it is used for water services rather than diverted to other functions.

Already in motion

The action plan highlighted areas that were underway or achieved that form the basis of the new plans going forward:

• WATERCOM, the National Water Crisis Committee, will oversee implementation and hold departments and public entities accountable.
• Immediate interventions are already underway in struggling municipalities, including boreholes and emergency water supply support from water boards.
• Grant money has been redirected to the worst-performing municipalities.
• Legal action has been taken against dozens of municipalities that violated the National Water Act.
• Six Catchment Management Agencies have been established.
• The government is investing R24 billion a year in municipal water and sanitation, with around 800 projects underway.

Plans for the future of water security

• The Water Services Amendment Bill will separate the role of municipalities as water authorities from the operators that deliver services.
• Water service providers will need operating licences based on technical, managerial, and financial capability.
• If a municipality fails to provide acceptable services, government may intervene and appoint another capable water utility.
• Water revenue in metropolitan municipalities will be ring-fenced so it stays in water and sanitation services.
• More technical support will be provided to municipalities.
• Additional funding will be mobilised through private investors, lenders, and results-based contracts.
• More boreholes will be drilled this year and over the next two years to serve around 250,000 households.
• The National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency will develop, operate, maintain, and finance national water infrastructure.

Intentions

The plan aims to ensure every community has access to reliable, quality drinking water, while addressing the root causes of municipal water failures rather than only responding to emergencies. It also seeks to stop revenue diversion, improve maintenance of existing infrastructure, protect water as a public good, and fight corruption, irregular contracts, and infrastructure damage. Ultimately, the government says it wants to end the water crisis through accountability, reform, and better delivery.