SA municipalities rack up R23 bn water debt

Speaking at the media engagement to give an update on water supply issues in Pretoria on Tuesday, director-general of the water and sanitation department Sean Phillips said the main contributing factor is non-payment by municipalities to the department and water boards.

"Of that R23 billion, municipalities owe us directly R8.5 billion and the water boards owe us about R8 billion. Around 60% or 70% or so of the debt is the result of non-payment by municipalities. In total, the water boards are owed R14 billion, but not all of that debt is passed on to us because the water boards themselves have been able to pay us.”

Gauteng metros have outlined short and long-term plans to mitigate disparities between supply and demand.

According to the department, the City of Johannesburg, through Joburg Water, has set aside at least R402 million for the next 18 months to construct a new Crosby pumpstation, a new bulk line to connect Rand Water supply into Crosby Reservoir as well as Brixton Reservoir and Tower.

In Tshwane, where Soshanguve residents recently took to the streets over a week-long water outage, the metro has planned an estimated R350 million for the next 24 months to augment new water infrastructure such as reservoirs, bulk pipelines, and towers for areas in Soshanguve, Atteridgeville system and Laudium /Erasmia system, Mooikloof, Western Centurion, Garsfontein and other surroundings.

Ekurhuleni metro has a planned R581 million for the next two years to address pipeline upgrades, and construction of new reservoirs and towers that will aid relief to affected areas such as Tsakane, Vlakfontein, Duduza, Benoni, and others.

Minister Senzo Mchunu implored consumers to play their part in conserving water, by using water sparingly and adhering to restrictions during water crisis periods.

“Abstain from illegal water connections and water theft which weakens sustainable water provision and results in low-pressure provision by the system. Stop and report vandalism of water infrastructure such as valves and meters. Report leaks and blockages to municipalities and hold municipalities accountable. Reduce water usage and watering of gardens during heat waves."

At the same time, Deputy Minister David Mahlobo said there has been notable progress in addressing the sewage spillage in the Emfuleni local municipality.

Residents of the Vaal, Sebokeng, and nearby communities have complained of the stench of raw sewage and effluent seeping into their homes and the local water system. However, Mahlobo says informal settlements have infringed on the network.

“Emfuleni, in terms of their sewer networks it has totally collapsed. In other words, we are doing total replacement of infrastructure and in some instances, it’s problematic on the basis that some people have encroached over the lines and we have to find a way not to destroy the homes.”

He described the conditions under which residents have had to live as inhumane.

“It’s inhumane that children grow up over the years had to grow and smell the sewer as something that is normal, it is abnormal. But it also has environmental hazards.”

Mahlobo said the financially embattled municipality has been capacitated, through the intervention of the national and provincial departments, to better address the historical sewage network issues.

Emfuleni had its assets attached over the R1.3 billion debt owed to Eskom.

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