Municipalities in Mpumalanga need to prioritise water provision and stop sewage spillages was the message of the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr Senzo Mchunu, on December 8.
Mr Mchunu and his deputies, Mr David Mahlobo and Ms Dikeledi Magadzi met local and district municipalities the previous day as part of a ministerial working session.
According to the department’s press statement, municipalities were represented by their executive mayors and municipal managers with the provincial CoGTA and human settlement departments.
The common challenges identified included lack of maintenance of the water and sanitation infrastructure, ageing and dilapidated infrastructure, leakages leading to high water losses, vandalism of infrastructure, mushrooming of informal settlements leading to increased water demand and pressure on infrastructure, sewage spillages and the issue of the bucket system.
Deputy Minister Magadzi called for urgent prioritisation of sewage spillages, saying it has a negative impact on water resources and people’s lives.
She emphasised the importance of teaching people to preserve rivers and all water sources, the need for collaboration and working with the private sector and other stakeholders.
“We can’t do it alone, we must get other people who might walk this journey with us,” she said
Deputy Minister Mahlobo called on municipalities to show commitment, plan and budget for water and sanitation projects as the department cannot be the only funder.
He also called for illegal selling of water to be stopped and to act against tampering and vandalising of infrastructure.
According to Minister Mchunu, there is no water crisis in the country, but there are challenges.
He called on the three spheres of government not to compromise, but deliver on water, saying executive mayors should provide their communities with water as well as stop sewage spillages.
The bucket system was cited as inhumane and an end to it, requested.
“We need a plan. DWS, CoGTA, district and local municipalities, go and craft a plan, do the sizing up, specify what needs to be done, how much it will cost and how long it will take,” he said.
“All affected municipalities must pledge maximum funds and then the districts and the department should chip in.”
He instructed stakeholders to present a costed plan with committed funds to deal with sewage spillages.
Minister Mchunu added that municipalities should budget for replacing old and ageing infrastructure, being the main causes of water losses and sewage spillages.
“We need to stop the leaks leading to water losses.
“You have to declare your own war on leaks, take this matter seriously and repair pipes.”
With regard to a meeting with irrigation boards, water user associations, African farmers association and civil society, more collaboration and cooperation were requested.
Issues of illegal water abstraction, unlawful water use, water quality, non-payment and transformation came under the spotlight.
In conclusion, Deputy Minister Mahlobo called for a schedule of engagements.
“We all have a shared future and shared aspirations.
“Water is everybody’s business and nobody must be left behind.”
