The South African government has committed R12.3 billion to enhance water infrastructure, a move aimed at revitalising struggling municipal systems and ensuring reliable access to water across the country, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, made the announcement during the presentation of the Budget Vote for the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in Parliament last Friday.
This substantial funding allocation is expected to result in 70 bulk water projects and 341 water services initiatives that will span all nine provinces.
The funding will be judiciously distributed through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG). Majodina explained that RBIG will finance 70 bulk infrastructure projects, while WSIG will support 341 initiatives, including 175 scheduled for completion in the present financial year.
To maximise the impact of this investment, the DWS plans to leverage additional funding by fostering partnerships with the private sector and development institutions.
Majodina highlighted that the Department will increasingly rely on Water Boards and other implementing agencies, such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), to aid struggling municipalities in executing projects efficiently.
The project pipeline is substantial, with several major schemes already completed and others set for completion in the upcoming years. Completed in the 2025/26 financial year, the R759 million Klipdrift Water Treatment Works in Hammanskraal, for instance, is now functioning at its full capacity of 50 megalitres per day.
Other noteworthy projects include Phase 1 of the R4.8 billion Giyani Water Project, which has reticulated 24 out of 55 villages, the R736 million Babanana Bulk Water Pipeline in Limpopo, and the R351 million Moretele South Bulk Water Supply Scheme in the North West.
For the 2026/27 financial period, several bulk water schemes worth R2.24 billion in the Chris Hani District Municipality and the R2 billion Loskop Regional Bulk Water Supply Scheme in Mpumalanga are planned for completion. Additional projects in the North West and the Western Cape signify a concerted effort to address both regional and national water supply challenges.
However, this ambitious funding comes at a time when the overall DWS budget sees a decline from R23.4 billion in 2025/26 to R22 billion in the current cycle. Majodina noted the persistent issues plaguing many municipalities, particularly regarding the reliability of water services.
The recent 2023 Blue Drop and 2025 Green Drop assessments have identified the 107 worst-performing municipalities, with alarming trends highlighting significant deterioration in wastewater management that has seen critical needs rise from 39% to 47%.
Of particular concern is the growing debt owed by municipalities to water boards, which has soared past R27 billion, largely due to overdue debts. This financial distress has forced water boards to implement stringent credit control measures, including throttling water supply and, in extreme cases, restraining access to municipal bank accounts.
Majodina revealed that National Treasury has intervened by withholding equitable share allocations from 62 municipalities that continuously fail to honour their debts.
Majodina acknowledged the challenge of providing consistent and safe drinking water, echoing sentiments voiced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address in February.
While infrastructure has been developed, many communities still struggle with water shortages, subpar quality, and sewage spillages. ‘The reliability of municipal water services has declined sharply, with worsening disruptions and poor water quality,’ she stated.
‘While most people have access to a tap, water often does not flow or is unsafe to drink.’
In light of these challenges, the DWS, alongside local leaders, is actively working on the National Water Action Plan aimed at addressing the crisis in municipal water services.
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