24/10/2024
Regular maintenance, technical skills and infrastructure investment critical to resolving Gauteng's water crisis
by Nico De Jager MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Infrastructure Development
Date: 24 October 2024
Release: Immediate
The Democratic Alliance (DA) acknowledges recent statements by the Rand Water CEO Sipho Mosai regarding the organisation’s municipal support initiatives but believes more comprehensive action is needed to address Gauteng's deepening water crisis.
While Rand Water's efforts to provide skills training and equipment such as Pressure Reducing Valves (PRVs) are noted, the scope and impact of these interventions remain unclear. As a bulk water distributor, Rand Water's expertise differs significantly from the specialised knowledge required to maintain municipal reticulation networks.
The current crisis stems from systematic failures in infrastructure maintenance and investment rather than resident behaviour. Key issues include:
Persistent underfunding of infrastructure maintenance, falling well below the National Treasury's recommended 8% investment norm
Critical shortage of technical expertise and experienced technicians across municipalities
Widespread water losses exceeding 50% in many areas
Insufficient leak detection and repair, particularly in flat-rate areas
Political interference and cadre deployment policies contribute to skills drainage.
We note Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dickson Masemola's recent acknowledgement of official culpability in the crisis. However, this admission must extend to addressing the political decisions that have undermined technical capacity and proper budget allocation for water infrastructure.
It is unacceptable that residents must endure days or weeks without water due to these systemic failures. Immediate action is required to:
Deploy technical experts to affected municipalities.
Install pressure-reducing valves at reservoirs and reticulation networks to reduce and manage water losses mainly due to ageing infrastructure and reduce minimum night flows (MNF).
Launch a province-wide leak detection and repair programme.
Review and correct budget allocations for infrastructure maintenance.
Under the DA government, we commit to:
Conducting an immediate comprehensive audit of provincial water infrastructure
Assessing maintenance and refurbishment requirements
Evaluating skills gaps and technical needs
Engaging private sector expertise for rapid solutions
Implementing a coordinated strategy to prevent infrastructure collapse
The DA emphasises that whilst these challenges cannot be resolved overnight, decisive action must begin immediately to protect this essential service for all Gauteng residents.
Media Enquiries
Nico De Jager MPL
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Infrastructure Development
083 899 2122
Dorianne Arendse
GPL Media and Issues Specialist
076 983 0118
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