Question NW2890 to the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation has allocated R53 million to the Sekhukhune District Municipality for the 2020/21 financial year through the Water Service Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) for the implementation of the following projects to ensure access to clean water in the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality:

• Mogoroane Water Supply Project
• Uitspanning Water Supply Intervention
• Tukakgomo Water Supply Intervention Phase 3
• Mapodile Water Conservation and demand Management
• Rutseng Water Intervention Phase 2
• Construction of VIDP Toilets in Legolaneng
• Brooklyn (Phokwane) Water Intervention
• Maebe (Mohlaletsi) Water Supply Phase 3
• Nkosini Water Supply & Package Plant
• Laersdrift Water Supply
• Mashamthane Water Intervention

It should be noted that legislative mandate of the Department of Water and Sanitation is to ensure that the country’s water resources are protected, managed, used, developed, conserved and controlled in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all people and the environment.

The Water Services Act, 1997 refers to municipalities as Water Service Authorities (WSAs) responsible for distribution (reticulation) of water and to supply sanitation services. The Water Services Act in section 3 outlines the right of access to basic water supply and sanitation which mandates that “everyone has a right of access to basic water supply and basic sanitation” and places the responsibility on Water Services Authorities to ensure that they develop a Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) to ensure the realisation of this right.

Section 11 of the Water Services Act, 1997 mandates that “every Water Services Authority has the duty to all consumers or potential consumers in its area of jurisdiction to progressively ensure efficient, affordable, economical and sustainable access to water services.”