The three reports point to a state of decline in the drinking water quality, increased non-revenue water and the deterioration of municipal wastewater treatment systems. The rate and extent of the combined decline reported support previous conclusions of the Commission, that the state of water resource management and distribution are in a state of creeping crisis.

The Blue Drop Report, which assessed 958 water supply systems (WSS), found that only 26 WSS as compared to 44 WSS in 2014 scored more than 95% which qualifies them for the prestigious Blue Drop Certification. In 2014, 177 water supply systems were in a critical state of performance, compared to 277 in the latest results. This points to an increase of about 100 WSS which are in a critical state of performance.

Further, in 2014 only 5% of WSS achieved poor or bad microbiological water quality compliance. In 2023, this figure had risen to 46%. The water in these systems pose a serious acute health risk to the households in those areas.

In terms of the No Drop Report, non-revenue water stood at 47% in 2023 as compared to 37% in 2014. This is 17% in excess of the international average for non-revenue water, which is 30%. The increase in non-revenue water indicates that WSAs are not paying sufficient attention to the maintenance of infrastructure. This is a concern which the Commission has raised in its several investigative reports, such as the water inquiry report into KwaZulu Natal Province. The National Treasury has recommended that municipalities must budget for maintenance and repair an annual sum equivalent to 8% of the carrying value of property, plants and equipment and investment property. Current practice within municipalities averages between 2% to 4%.

The Green Drop Progress Assessment report indicates that Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTWs) are in a critical condition. This inexorably affects the right to human dignity of the people of South Africa as these WWTWs are at risk of discharging partially treated or untreated water into rivers and the environment. The Commission reiterates what it observed in its Vaal inquiry report, that wastewater systems play an integral part in the lives of people. In that regard, the Commission stresses the importance of government adopting proactive interventions for the maintenance, repair and replacement of wastewater systems.

The Commission laments the serious decline in the quality of drinking water. The Commission reminds government that access to water, which is sufficient and clean, is a human right in terms of the Constitution and legislations, such as the Water Services Act 108 of 1997. Municipalities, particularly those that are WSAs are at the centre of the task of water and sanitation provision.

In that regard, the Commission calls on the government to do all that is necessary to arrest and turn around this decline in water quality and wastewater management at the municipal level. As indicated in the several reports of the Commission, the Department of Water and Sanitation, as the national regulator, should continue to play a heightened monitoring and compliance role to ensure the effective performance of WSAs in the delivery of quality water, functional wastewater management and reduction of non-revenue water.

Other stakeholders such as the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs should continue to provide support to municipalities to ensure that they are fully equipped and capacitated to deliver on their constitutional and statutory obligations. Consequence management systems to strengthen accountability must be established and used without fear and favour, to the benefit of the water services eco-system.

ENDS

ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
Wisani Baloyi – Acting Communications Coordinator Tel: 081 016 8308 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.