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Municipal water leaks cost SA R10 billion a year

Government needs to address issues of municipal water losses that is estimated to be as high as R10 billion annually, according to the latest Advisory Note of the South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE).

SAAE’s President, Prof. Elsabe Kearsly, states that attention must be given to all leaking municipal water pipelines throughout the country. Annual budgets have to provide for maintenance and upgrades.
A strong message of strict law enforcement needs to be passed on to all unlawful water users. Municipal ratepayers should not be the only group paying for non-revenue water.
As a matter of urgency, the Department of Water and Sanitation needs to reinstate the Blue Drop and No Drop reporting system. By combining the two systems, there would be less overlap in the process of monitoring.
* The SAAE had its origins in the Society of Professional Engineers (SPE) in the 1990s and currently plays a key role in providing support to the country’s young engineers. The academy’s members provide advice and support to government on all matters related to engineering expertise.
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Gugulethu Kgongoane

Gugulethu Kgongoane is the Online Editor of Sedibeng Ster. Email: gugu@mooivaal.co.za She is also an online journalist of Vaalweekblad. Email: gugu@mooivaal.co.za
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