The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

In August 2012 the Financial Mail had a very dramatic front page with the question; is water in South Africa under pressure? Let’s unpack this question.

The conclusion of the article was because of years of neglect in vital areas of infrastructure we might be on a brink of a crisis (Let’s blame this on Apartheid).

Failing infrastructure, neglect of timeous investment and bad management are then major culprits. Adding to that an under resourced National Department and incompetent local Municipalities, which many  have no capacity left, add to that the state of our old dams, canals, pipeline, tunnels and monitoring and treatment facilities and according to Razina Munshi of the FM there is a problem.

It is a fact that we need around R668 bn over the next 8 – 10 years to address this back log – the problem like ESKOM is that , we have waited too long, delayed the decision for upgrades too long, and now the problem has arrived.

We cannot blame this Minister but the problem is now on her desk and she must address it.

We need Economic Growth in South Africa – without Electricity and Water it will not happen, water is as vital component for Economic Growth as Energy –and  we all must realise that.

 

More than 75% of our water assets were constructed between 1960 – 1990. Our infrastructure is on average 40-years-old. Dam walls can last for 300 years – but the National Government Water infrastructures replace value in R140bn and depreciate at a rate of R1.4bn per year.

Adding to this, that the quality of water in our Rivers are rapidly deteriorating, 82% of our Rivers are threatened and 44% critically endangered – this is not an infrastructure problem, but a Management one and that is making the problem even worse.

Last year I have asked almost, on my knees, the Honourable Minister to save the perennial Rivers of the Kruger National Park – I do not think she has even visited the Rivers – I do not think anything has happened to address in one year to address the culprits in the catchment area. Agriculture and Mining activities just carry on as before– this remains a crisis.

The Vaal River is under strain from theft, leaks and pollution– this system supplies 45% of the South African population and 60 % of the Economy with water –if there is a river that should be a National Key point, it should be the Vaal River.

We are losing almost 37% of water through leaks costing us R11 bn per year – Municipalities fail us here – ordinary South Africans who steal water and not reporting leaks fail our Country. In Gauteng alone we lost R7.8bn ,2.5 Hartebeespoort  dams!

Our Conveyance systems are not in a good order and some instances not in place – that is why communities next to big dams go without water.

Yes our Blue drop score is up to 88% - big improvement, but our green drop assessment reports that 317 plants are in a critical condition.

Yes between 1994 – 2012 water access rose from 60 % to 95% of the population – the legacy of apartheid has been almost addressed.

The challenge remains with Municipalities not delivering, the infighting between Municipalities sharing water resources, creating water shortages are driving civil unrest. The Makhado and Vhembe Municipalities are a case in point. Bloem water is under investigation re- corruption.

The people are protesting and civil society is going to court to force their rights. Statistics show that Service Delivery protests occurs literally every second day in South Africa, more than 2-millionSouth Africans participate in it annually since 2008 – Wikipedia named us the “protect capital of the World”. Not good for our image as a destination that need investment to grow.

We cannot allow that “Water” becomes the fuel for “Civil unrest”- The Department must take the lead at all levels to rescue us and protect all our water systems.

What we would like to see is a far more aggressive approach against non- performing Municipalities and action against non-law abiding farmers and mines in the catchment area.

Let’s see some action!