Bill to Amend Water Supply Sector Aims to Improve South Africa's Water Supply Sector

Leon Basson, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, announced that public hearings are expected across South Africa regarding the Bill to Amend the Water Supply Sector.

These public hearings are intended to address long-standing issues facing South Africa's water supply sector, including unreliable provision of water and sanitation services.

The National Assembly's Portfolio Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation will hold its first meeting in the Mpumalanga province as part of the nationwide public participation process, scheduled for August 14 to 16.

The committee chairperson, Leon Basson, noted that these events are designed to provide communities with the information necessary to understand the proposed legislation and participate effectively in the process.

Furthermore, the programs will ensure proper community notification so they can submit substantive input, as Parliament has already conducted a series of educational programs on this bill before the commencement of public hearings.

Basson stated that the Amendment Bill seeks to rectify deficiencies in the management and operation of water infrastructure, water quality degradation, accountability gaps, and weak enforcement mechanisms.

Key proposals included in the Bill to Amend the Water Supply Sector include the introduction of a mandatory licensing system for all water service providers with a 12-month compliance period after rule approval.

It also provides for establishing minimum competency standards to enhance professionalism and prevent neglect of water infrastructure. Additionally, it will ensure a clearer division of responsibilities between water authorities and water service providers to strengthen accountability.

The Bill mandates the introduction of stricter penalties for non-compliance and for the activities of unlicensed water service providers. The Minister's powers to intervene in cases of persistent failures in the provision of water and sanitation services have also been strengthened.

Basson emphasized: 'The country's water value chain has faced various challenges. This bill proposes measures aimed at addressing these shortcomings, and it is important for people to be involved in developing and strengthening the legislation.'

He added that the process must guarantee communities a real opportunity to influence the legislation, noting that 'public participation is not merely a formality. It is a constitutional imperative that ensures the responsiveness of legislation to the needs and aspirations of the people.'

The Committee called upon the public, communities, civil society organizations, water sector stakeholders, and other interested parties to participate in the upcoming public hearings and educational programs.

The first meetings are scheduled for Friday, August 14, at the local administration of Taba Chweu, City Hall in Graskop. On Saturday, August 15, the meeting will take place at the Singobile community hall, Emalahleni Local Municipality, and on Sunday, August 16, in the Gert Sibande district halls in Ermelo. The Committee has not yet published dates for meetings in other provinces.