Parliament, Tuesday, 26 November 2024 - The Standing Committee on Appropriations is concerned about a looming catastrophe where in about six to twelve months, water boards could face total collapse due to nonpayment by municipalities.

The committee today engaged the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) on the 2024 Appropriation Bill. The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Mmusi Maimane, said: "We will wake up one day in three years' time with collapsed water boards and this committee will be faced with approving more of these costly bailouts."

The DWS told the committee that water provision to households is the responsibility of municipalities and DWS only supports them to carry out water and sanitation responsibilities. It further said non-payment of water services by municipalities is severe as they will not get treated water, and some have stopped maintenance of their infrastructure.

Mr Maimane said: "It is concerning that in places like Emfuleni Local Municipality, sewerage spillages continue while the administration of the municipality is in shambles and there is no hope that things will get better anytime soon."

The committee is further concerned that there are municipalities who will not commit to paying for their current water invoices and that nonpayment of these invoices will result in water boards going bankrupt.

The committee was also concerned by non-attendance by the Minster of Water and Sanitation and the Deputy Minister. The committee emphasized the urgent need to end the blame game, it also warned that the continuation of the blame game could jeopardise the reliable provision of water to citizens.