Water boards and municipalities play a pivotal role in the water services value chain. Water boards provide bulk water services to municipalities which in turn enables municipalities to fulfil their obligations of providing water to consumers within their jurisdiction. The financial viability of water boards depends on their ability to collect monies due to them.
However, due to several factors, such as poor revenue, governance and financial challenges, some municipalities struggle to service their payment obligations to water boards. As a result, some water boards are experiencing significant financial challenges. Their ability to continue with operations is under severe threat. It is estimated that water boards are collectively owed over R28 billion by municipalities.
By hosting the webinar, the Commission seeks to critically examine the centrality of water boards and municipalities in water provision. The webinar will interrogate the drivers and causes of the municipal debt to water boards. The webinar will also delve into policy and institutional measures which can be adopted to avert the financial collapse of water boards. The Commission invites all relevant stakeholders, including the media to attend the webinar.
The Webinar details are as follows:
- Date: Wednesday, 09 September 2026
- Time: 10:00am – 11:00am
- Venue: Microsoft Teams
To register your attendance, click on this link: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/0c4149a6-95dd-4d11-8421-f9a890ec8b73@0159c87f-d04f-40b5-8866-46fb77a8d382
ENDS
ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION