The SAHRC has previously noted that the absence of water at schools negatively impacts educational outcomes as learners are forced to miss school. The disruption or lack of water supply has a detrimental impact on hospitals and clinics impinging on the right to healthcare. The SAHRC has also noted that the lack of access to water disproportionately affects women and girl-children and compromises the attainment of gender equality.

The SAHRC has in various reports highlighted several drivers of water challenges in the country. These include, among others: insufficient attention and allocation of budget for the maintenance of water infrastructure; insufficient planning for population growth; high levels of water losses beyond the acceptable norms; the lack of skilled personnel in water units; and the scourge of water infrastructure vandalism and the emergence of water mafias. The SAHRC has noted that these challenges are more pronounced at the municipal level, yet it is the sphere charged with delivering water to households and communities in the country.

The SAHRC is concerned by the ongoing downward spiral regarding water management and distribution. The water challenges are widespread and significantly disrupt the lives of communities. Furthermore, the proper functioning of essential services such as schooling, healthcare among others, have been significantly compromised due to water challenges.

The SAHRC is convinced that the situation regarding water challenges in the country has reached crisis proportions. Data emerging from the South African Water Justice Tracker – a project partnership between the SAHRC and the University of the Witwatersrand tracking drivers and causes of failure by water services authorities in providing households with clean and sufficient water – corroborates the fact that the water crisis is not a localised phenomenon but is widespread affecting various parts of the country. The Water Justice Tracker reveals aging infrastructure; inadequate funding model; skills deficit and poor intergovernmental coordination as some of the key systemic and structural drivers contributing to the dysfunctionality of water services authorities.  

Considering the dire nature of the water crisis in the country, the SAHRC empowered by section 13(1)(a)(i) of the South African Human Rights Commission Act 40 of 2013 recommends that government declares the water crisis engulfing the country a national disaster in accordance with the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002. The SAHRC will be issuing a letter to the Head othe National Disaster Management Centre containing the recommendation of a national disaster on the water crisis.

The water crisis has reached a level where a broad, integrated and coordinated effort is required to turn the dire situation around. Therefore, the classification and concomitant declaration of the water crisis in the country as a national disaster constitutes a reasonable measure in the circumstances. Properly and effectively implemented, the national state of disaster will ensure that emergency funds are mobilised and government collaboration is better coordinated. An intervention of this magnitude is essential amid the ongoing water crisis in the country.

The SAHRC however cautions that the declaration of a national state of disaster on the ongoing water crisis should not become a breeding ground for corruption, malfeasance and embezzlement of funds. Sufficient oversight measures to ensure fiscal prudence should be instilled. The SAHRC calls on government to continue to institute proactive measures, such as ensuring preventative infrastructure maintenance; critical water infrastructure rehabilitation; expediting the finalisation of bulk water projects; and instituting community behavioural change campaigns on water preservation.

Ends

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission