Question NW2281 to the Minister of Water and Sanitation
11 December 2024 - NW2281
Hadebe, Mr N to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1) Considering that the Republic continues to face significant challenges in water management with the added concerns about water quality and access in underserved areas, and noting that many water boards are struggling to provide reliable service due to underfunding, infrastructure decay, and inefficiency, what steps is her department taking to address issues related to (a) financial sustainability and (b) operational efficiency of water boards; (2) (a) what are the full details of the progress made regarding several dam construction projects that are in the pipeline to address water scarcity projects and (b) how has she found such projects will ensure sustainable water supply in the long term?
Reply:
1. (a) To address the financial sustainability of water boards and resolve the issue of unpaid water usage charges by municipalities, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), with support from relevant Premiers and MECs of CoGTA, has been engaging municipal customers on payment agreements. While most municipalities have verbally committed to paying their current invoices in full, leading to some improvement in payment levels, some few exceptions remain. Specifically, Matjhabeng, Kopanong, Victor Khanye, and Meragong Local Municipalities have failed to settle their debts.
This persistent non-payment hampers the ability of the water boards to maintain, refurbish, and operate crucial water infrastructure. Despite ongoing efforts to urge these municipalities to pay their water usage charges, a culture of non-payment persists.
In response to this challenge, both Ministries of Finance and Water and Sanitation are working together to implement a financial intervention. As of 04 December 2024, the equitable share of grant funding to these four municipalities will be withheld and disbursed in instalments under strict conditions. The first instalment of the withheld equitable share will be released only if the funds are used to pay the outstanding water board accounts.
Municipalities must provide proof of payment to demonstrate compliance. Once this condition is met, the second instalment of the withheld equitable share will be released, subject to further conditions, until all outstanding water debts are fully settled. This approach is intended to compel municipalities to prioritize the settlement of their water debts and ensure the sustainability of water services.
(b)The Department acknowledges the challenges faced by water boards, including rising debt levels, and limited investment capacity. To address these issues, DWS is undertaking a Water Board Efficiency Study in collaboration with National Treasury (NT) and the Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC) to identify possible operational inefficiencies in the water boards.
Additionally, DWS will undertake a Cost of Supply Study to determine the optimal use of resources and pinpoint areas for efficiency improvement. A benchmarking exercise is also underway, assessing all water boards against key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure financial, operational, and service delivery performance. These initiatives are expected to enhance the financial sustainability and operational efficiency of water boards.
2. Dam construction projects are in the pipeline to address water scarcity and
ensure sustainable water supply in the long term are provided in Annexure A:
ANNEXURE A
|
(a) Project Name and Description |
(a) Progress to Date |
(b) Long-term water supply sustainability |
|---|---|---|
|
uMkhomazi Water Project - Phase 1 Construction of a new dam on the uMkhomazi River and associated infrastructure, raw water conveyance infrastructure (a tunnel and pipeline) to the uMlaza River valley, and a water treatment works in the uMlaza River valley with a gravity pipeline to the Mngeni bulk distribution system |
Off-take agreements have been finalised and TCTA has commenced with the sourcing of commercial funding for the project. The design of the new dam, tunnel and pipeline has commenced. Specialist survey and geotechnical investigations are currently in progress. Construction is currently expected to start in October 2027. |
The project is designed to augment the Mngeni Water Supply System in order to meet the long-term water requirements of domestic and industrial water users in the eThekwini and Pietermaritzburg regions of KwaZulu-Natal up to 2050. This area is the economic hub of KwaZulu-Natal and needs reliable, efficient and sustainable long-term water supplies. |
|
Cwabeni Off-Channel Storage (OCS) Dam Construction of a new concrete faced zoned rockfill dam on the Ncwabeni River, with a multi-level intake tower, an abstraction weir on the Umzimkhulu River, and a pump station and pipeline to pump water into the off-channel storage dam |
The design of the new dam has commenced. The detailed feasibility study review and design gap analysis have been completed, and specialist survey and geotechnical investigations are currently in progress. Construction is currently expected to start in December 2025. |
The project is designed to increase the yield of the Umzimkhulu River at the St Helen’s Rock Abstraction of the Umzimkhulu Regional Water Supply Scheme near Port Shepstone on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast to meet the projected future water requirements up to 2040, and to augment the water supply to the Mhlabatshane supply area of the Umzumbe Local Municipality. |
|
Stephen Dlamini Dam Construction of a large storage dam on the Luhane River, pump station and water treatment works for bulk domestic and irrigation water supply to the town of Bulwer and surrounding areas. |
The design and tender documentation for the new dam was completed and is pending a design review and gap analysis by a new design PSP. The appointment of the new design PSP is currently being finalised. Construction is currently expected to start in October 2025. |
The project is designed to provide sustainable water supplies to the town of Bulwer and surrounding peri-urban and rural communities over a 30-year horizon as the main water source for the Harry Gwala District Municipality Regional Bulk Water Supply Scheme which supplies water to domestic and commercial users in the Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipalities. |
|
Raising of the Clanwilliam Dam Raising of the existing dam wall by 13 metres, the relocation of a section of the N7 directly affected by the raised dam wall and the raising of the secondary provincial roads affected by the Full Supply Level (FSL) in the dam basin. |
Construction is underway and is 18% complete |
Dam to provide additional water for irrigation, domestic and industrial use to Clanwilliam and surrounding areas in the Western Cape, benefitting municipalities being Cederberg Local Municipality, West Coast District Municipality, Matzikama Local Municipality. |
|
Raising of the Tzaneen Dam Construction to raise the wall of the existing Tzaneen Dam to address water shortages in Tzaneen and surrounding areas in Limpopo. The scope of the work includes the demolition of the top of the existing spillway, the construction of a labyrinth spillway and other minor works. |
Stockpiling of material from the dam basin is complete Demolition of the existing spillway by 4m is complete Construction is underway and is 38% complete |
The project is intended to augment water supply in the region by raising the dam wall by 3 metres to increase the yield of the dam to address water shortages, impacted municipalities being Mopani District Municipality and Greater Tzaneen Municipality. |
|
Mzimvubu Water Project Construction of Ntabelanga Dam and associated works on a tributary of the uMzimvubu River to provide additional water for irrigation and domestic use in the eastern region of the Eastern Cape |
Stage 1 (Access Roads): 89% access road complete Stage 2 (Ntabelenga Dam): 100% Design complete |
The project seeks to accelerate social and economic development through the provision of water and sanitation services in the Eastern Cape. Impacted municipalities are OR Tambo District Municipality, Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Joe Gqabi District Municipality and Elundini and Mhlontlo Local Municipalities. |
|
Raising of Hazelmere Dam Raising of Hazelmere Dam wall by 7 metres to increase the yield of the dam for medium term supply. The scope of the work includes the construction of a piano key weir on the spillway, the installation of rock anchors, foundation grouting and other minor works. |
100% dam raising construction complete Construction of the operations offices and storage facilities is at 54% and Construction of the permanent houses is at 28% complete. |
The project objective is aimed to augment the water supply to the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal to increase the yield of the dam for medium term supply. |
|
Olifants Management Model The Olifants Management Model (OMM) involves the further development of the bulk water distribution system from the De Hoop Dam consisting of a pipeline from Flag Boshielo dam to Sekuruwe WTW in Mogalakwena (ORWRDP 2B & 2B+), a pipeline from Clapham pump station to the Olifantspoort weir (ORWRDP 2F) and the refurbishment of existing LWUA infrastructure (ORWRDP 2H). Additional work includes the southern extension of the existing LWUA pipeline, and the potable water supply system to communities adjacent to the bulk supply system. |
LWUA appointed as IA BFI funding for Phase 2B & 2B+ allocated Approval of advance for early works finalized Implementation contract EPC (Engineering and Construction contract) commenced in March 2024. This has been extended through additional design and procurement activities through to December 2024 utilising government funding while the Commercial sector is finalising their funding contribution for Phase 2B & 2B+ |
Objective of the project is to fast-track bulk and potable reticulation water infrastructure to supply communities and mines in Sekhukhune and Mogalakwena in Limpopo by 2030. |
|
Nwamitwa Dam Construction of a large storage dam with a gross storage capacity of approximately 187 million m3 on the Great Letaba River downstream of the confluence of the Nwanedzi River. |
Currently in project preparation Designs have been completed. |
The specific objectives of the project include meeting the projected growing primary water requirements over a 20-year planning horizon, preventing further degradation of the riverine ecosystem and ensuring sustainable availability of water supplies to the growing economic sectors especially the irrigation sector where there are resource poor farmers. |
|
Zalu Dam Construction of a large storage dam on the Xura River and water distribution infrastructure |
Currently in design stage which is 77% complete |
Objective is to supply water for domestic use and irrigation to the town of Lusikisiki and surrounding villages. Impacted municipalities are OR Tambo District Municipality and Ingquza Hill Local Municipality. |
|
Coerney Dam Construction of a new 4.69 million m3 earth fill embankment dam to the east of the existing Scheepersvlakte Dam and associated works |
Currently in design stage which is 8% complete |
Objective is to provide additional balancing storage, in addition to the existing Scheepersvlakte Balancing Dam, for water transfers to the Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Works of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Impacted municipalities are Nelson Mandela Bay District Municipality and Sundays River Valley Local Municipality |
|
Foxwood Dam Construction of a large storage dam on the Koonap River at the Foxwood site outside the town of Adelaide, an abstraction system, a pump station and a pipeline, to pump water to the existing water treatment works, and associated irrigation infrastructure. |
Currently in the process of procurement of a Professional Service Provider for the design |
Objective of the project is to augment the water supply to Adelaide and to provide reliable bulk water supply for new irrigation development for resource poor farmers. Impacted municipalities are Amathole District Municipality and Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality |