City of Cape Town issues a statement on water discolouration. Photo: pexels.com

City of Cape Town issues a statement on water discolouration. Photo: pexels.com

Municipal debt implicated in R14,9bn ailing water infrastructure crisis

It has been recorded that households account for almost 72% of this total debt.

City of Cape Town issues a statement on water discolouration. Photo: pexels.com

City of Cape Town issues a statement on water discolouration. Photo: pexels.com

During a Parliament joint sitting of the Portfolio Committees for the Departments of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), it was revealed that municipalities across the country have debt that increased to more than R14,9 billion towards ailing water infrastructure.

There has been an R1.7 billion increase in water services debt

The looming collapse of the country’s Water Services Infrastructure has occurred despite an Inter-Ministerial Task Team (IMTT) having been appointed in 2017 to root out issues causing municipal debt, as it has increased by R1.7 billion between March 2018 and September 2018 with a further R1.8 billion debt accrued in the past financial year.

The debt has been inflicted by an ageing infrastructure and the lack of investment into its repair or maintenance, and reportedly, the City of Cape Town has the lowest leak rate in South Africa, at 16%.

The average rate of water losses has increased to 38% nationwide

A status report presented to the committees by the South African Local Government Authority (SALGA) revealed that the average rate of water losses has increased to 38% nationwide; and as a result of this debt crisis, the department is unable to extend water services infrastructure throughout drought-stricken parts of South Africa.

Municipalities have been implicated in this crisis, as the “culture of non-payment” prevails as more than R165.5 billion is owed to local government authorities by utility clients, and an estimate of R50.2 billion is calculated for water services.

The committee detailed that households account for almost 72% of this total debt, and reasons cited for non-payment to municipalities include: inaccurate meter-reading and billing, lack of reliable accounting systems, non-receipt of invoices and the ineffective implementation of credit control measures by appointed accounting officers.

South Africa’s drought is anticipated to cause a water crisis

Minister of Human Settlement, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, has announced the urgent measures set to address water challenges in the country, where dam levels have been declining rapidly.

The Department of Water and Sanitation has since conducted scientific projections that prove hot temperatures will continue until the end of the summer season.

In the past months, areas like Kimberley and Tshwane, have been suffering because of the lack of water, which is a direct result of dire infrastructure and resource management. In the Eastern Cape, a crippling drought, coupled with inefficient contingency plans, has left thousands without water; it is reported that Lusikisiki is earmarked for an increase in water supply, through the upgrade of local water treatment works, and the construction of Zalu dam will be instantly prioritised.