AWSISA: Municipalities must shoulder blame for water crisis

According to AWSISA, Gauteng alone loses about 2.6 billion litres of water daily due to municipalities’ failure to manage water infrastructure.

The spokesperson for the water board, Dr Nndweleni Mphephu, has blamed local municipalities for the losses, saying municipalities are failing to maintain their water infrastructure despite receiving various grants from the national government.

Mphephu said this is due to the lack of technical capacity to manage, maintain, and operate water and wastewater treatment works, including process controllers and plant operators.

“For example, planned maintenance, carrying out those planned maintenances, only reacts when there is a pipe burst, and we are saying municipalities must start having a plan based on a proper asset management plan,” said Mphephu. 

Mphephu urged local municipalities to use their bulk regional and water service infrastructure grants to maintain their infrastructure.

He adds that municipalities cannot afford to rely on grants and revenue collection alone.

Mphephu also warned of the impact of the culture of non-payment by residents and businesses.

“AWSISA urges provincial and national government, the business sector, and citizens to hold municipalities accountable for their role in the water crisis.”

Late last year, the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation said the municipal debt to water boards stood at R22.36 billion in June 2024 - an average increase of 151% between 2019 and 2024.

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