Water services framework review targets improved municipal accountability in Gert Sibande District

The Department of Water and Sanitation recently held a consultation in Secunda on the review of the Strategic Framework for Water Services, bringing together representatives from seven municipalities under the Gert Sibande District Municipality.

The meeting at Graceland Hotel, Casino and Country Club included representatives from Govan Mbeki, Lekwa, Dipaliseng, Mkhondo, Pixley Ka Isaka Seme, Chief Albert Luthuli and Msukaligwa local municipalities.

Presenting the framework review, Zamanguni Mncwabe from the department said the framework aims to improve service delivery, strengthen infrastructure planning and maintenance, promote effective water resource management, enhance climate resilience and build municipal capacity.

Mncwabe said the review also addresses persistent challenges in the water and sanitation sector, including high levels of non-revenue water, failing wastewater treatment works, ageing infrastructure and inequalities affecting rural communities and informal settlements.

“In line with the framework and related national directives, new frameworks are being introduced to respond to identified gaps in the water and sanitation sector,” said Mncwabe.

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According to the department, the review seeks to establish a coherent and modernised regulatory system that ensures safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable water and sanitation services.

The system is intended to align with constitutional rights and national development priorities. The proposed changes place greater emphasis on enforceable local regulation, including updated model by-laws and mandatory service delivery agreements.

Local regulation will also be linked directly to a national digital compliance system to strengthen monitoring and enforcement.

Water Services Authorities will be required to ring-fence their water services accounts to improve financial accountability and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

The review further proposes the introduction of performance-based regulation, under which municipal regulatory performance will be publicly reported.

This will be aligned with the Blue Drop, Green Drop and No Drop programmes, which monitor aspects of drinking water quality, wastewater management and water losses.

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