A new course will be charted for South Africa’s water sector following the landmark Water and Sanitation Indaba held last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday.

In his weekly ‘From the desk of the President’ newsletter, he said that the recommendations emanating from the Indaba “give cause for great optimism”, with focused, evidence-based solutions and suggestions with clear delivery timelines.

“As the suggested solutions are implemented, we will chart a new course for the management of this most critical of resources,” he said.

The National Water and Sanitation Indaba was held from March 27 to 28 to develop a clear plan for resolving challenges in the sector, building on the structural reform processes initiated under the sixth administration.

These include reinstating the Drop water quality monitoring system, significantly improving the turnaround time for processing water-use licence applications and developing a raw water pricing strategy, as well as work toward establishing the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency, which will be responsible for developing and managing national water infrastructure and mobilising financing for water infrastructure.

He further pointed to the upward trajectory of water infrastructure builds in South Africa, with the Infrastructure Fund having secured R23-billion to date for seven large water infrastructure projects, including Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, the Polihali dam and the Ntabelanga dam on the uMzimvubu river.

Among the resolutions of the Water and Sanitation Indaba was deeper collaboration between the Water Partnerships Office and the private sector to mobilise financing over the next three years with several innovative financing models being explored, including Green and Blue bonds.

Forging more noncommercial water provision partnerships with industrial sectors, similar to that of the successful Olifants Management Model project in Limpopo, which is in partnership with mining houses, was also part of the resolutions moving forward.

Further, water delivery implementation models and processes will be subject to rigorous review, Ramaphosa said, citing examples such as standardising the process for the appointment of capable water service providers and introducing capacity assessments for water boards.

“A large percentage of South Africa’s purified water is being lost to leaks from municipal distribution systems. Water services authorities will have to develop mitigation programmes that include adequate budgets for maintenance, reducing leaks, closing illegal water connections and strengthening metering, billing and revenue collection,” he explained.

Further, all efforts need to be made to support municipal authorities to fulfil their service delivery mandate, with minimum competency regulations for water service providers developed, and municipalities required to urgently fill key technical positions.

It was further resolved that mechanisms should be urgently developed to capacitate municipalities to use their Municipal Infrastructure Grant and Urban Settlements Development Grant for infrastructure upkeep.

“The Indaba further resolved that communities should be more actively involved in the protection of our country’s water infrastructure. One of the promising proposals that will be considered is setting up water committees in communities,” Ramaphosa commented.

Water demand management is also crucial, with government set to roll out an extensive public awareness campaign to encourage people and businesses to use water sparingly.

Meanwhile, to eliminate corruption and organised crime in the water sector, a National Water and Sanitation Anti-Corruption Forum will be established in collaboration with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

“A number of SIU investigations into allegations of fraud and corruption at several water boards have already been completed, and have resulted in resignations, dismissals and criminal charges.”

Water service authorities are now also required to develop water infrastructure security plans to combat vandalism and theft of infrastructure within six months.

“The resolutions taken by the Water and Sanitation Indaba, once successfully implemented, will help us turn the tide in our ongoing efforts to improve service delivery and build a capable, ethical, developmental State.”