By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu says more needs to be done to improve the country’s water quality and systems.
Mchunu spoke at a two-day Water Services Authority Summit at Emperors Palace on Thursday.
The Department released the Blue and No Drop report in December.
The Blue Drop Report evaluated all 958 water supply systems (WSSs) across 144 water services authorities. The evaluations considered factors such as infrastructure conditions, maintenance, operation, treatment processes, and staff expertise.
The No Drop Report focused on water losses and non-revenue water in all municipalities in the country.
The reports revealed a decline in drinking water quality and an increase in non-revenue water since the last reports issued in 2014.
Mchunu warned that poor water quality could lead to chronic illnesses.
“What was of particular concern for the public was finding that the percentage of drinking water systems with poor and bad microbiological compliance instead of the South African National Bureau of Standards and the World Health Organisation Standards had increased from 5% in 2014 to 46% in 2023.
“We have since resuscitated the assessments and are committed to ensuring that the past error does not occur.
“When reports were released last year, they showed a sharp decline in performance of both the quality of drinking water and water systems as well as a dramatic increase in non-revenue water and physical water losses. There were feelings of anxiety as to what is the next step for the government.
“The current situation is intolerable and indefensible. And ultimately, we will be forced to address it, if we do not address it on our own.
“We are rapidly approaching a situation where municipal managers, mayors and the directors general, minister of water and sanitation will personally face prison terms or fines for failing to address huge pollution,” warned Mchunu.
Mchunu said the department is working collaboratively with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, including the Municipal Infrastructure Agency, Department of Human Settlements and National Treasury to address the findings of the Drop reports, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 6 (SDG6) by 2030.