Big win for Siza Water

Dolphin Coast tap water is so clean you can bottle it!

Local water provider Siza Water ranked third nationally at the recent drinking water quality Blue Drop Awards, held by water and sanitation minister Senzo Mchunu.

The Blue Drop report evaluated all 958 water supply systems across 144 water services authorities. These evaluations considered factors such as infrastructure condition, maintenance, operation, treatment processes, and staff expertise.

Only 26 water supply systems received a Blue Drop for achieving scores above 95%. This is a severe decline from 2014 when 44 water supply systems were able to achieve this feat.

The number of water supply systems found to be in a critical state also increased from 174 in 2014 to 277 in 2023.

In KwaZulu-Natal, only three municipalities were awarded the blue drop certification for their water supply systems:
• uMngeni-uThukela bulk water service provider for the uMgungundlovu water supply system.
• Msunduzi Local Municipality for the Umsunduzi water supply system
• iLembe District Municipality for its Dolphin Coast water supply system (managed by Siza Water).

Siza Water parent company South African Water Works (SAWW) group managing director, Shyam Misra, expressed his gratitude for their dedicated staff and commitment to world-class services, recognised through the rigorous Blue Drop audit.

“We are proud to be the only service provider within the iLembe District Municipality that has achieved this award. It is indeed gratifying to be recognised by the water and sanitation department for our hard work and commitment to the water industry.

“We have a proven track record and are ready to assist other municipalities to deliver safe, clean and reliable water services to their communities,” said Misra.

The 30-year concession contract awarded to Siza Water in 1999 is nearing expiry, with just over five years of the contract remaining.

It is unclear whether iLembe will renew the contract, which was the first water Private Public Partnership, or PPP, in South Africa.

The concession area covers 12,5km² and includes Ballito, Shaka’s Head, Shakaskraal, Tinley Manor, Shayamoya and Etete.

iLembe business chamber CEO Cobus Oelofse congratulated Siza Water for its achievement, emphasising the national importance of water quality and well-functioning water infrastructure.

He commended Minister Mchunu for reintroducing the Blue and Green Drop (wastewater quality) status to acknowledge excellence.

“Considering that of the 950 water systems tested, more than 50% were found unsuitable, Siza’s achievement in perspective highlights the challenges that exist elsewhere in South Africa with 90% of wastewater systems found to be dysfunctional. We would also like to acknowledge the improved performance from iLembe District Municipality,” said Oelofse.

In the Blue Drop report, iLembe showed a slight growth with a Blue Drop score in 2023 of 87.09%, compared to 86.72% in 2014.

Oelofse said access to clean water was a critical factor for investors when choosing locations for their operations. From a local economic point of view, the iLembe District Municipality’s relationship with the private sector through this partnership was also acknowledged.

“As is the case, with power generation nationally, water and wastewater management is also set to benefit from reinvigorated relationships with the private sector through these private/public partnerships,” said Oelofse.

While acknowledging achievements, the report identified areas for improvement for the iLembe District Municipality, such as obtaining water use licenses, conducting process audits, and enhancing operational monitoring on smaller sites.

The municipality is responsible for 18 water systems, serving more than 600 000 people.

iLembe District Municipality has noted the findings and these are being addressed.

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