SA Accelerates Water and Sanitation Overhaul with Nationwide Infrastructure Push and Governance Reforms

South Africa's water and sanitation sector is entering a decisive phase of reform and infrastructure renewal, with Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina announcing a coordinated national drive aimed at restoring failing systems, expanding access, and strengthening long-term sustainability.

Speaking at the official release of the latest Green Drop Report, a key benchmark assessing wastewater management performance across municipalities, Majodina detailed a series of high-impact infrastructure rollouts delivered during National Water Month. The projects, spanning multiple provinces, signal what government describes as a shift from planning to visible implementation — but also underscore the urgent need for operational discipline and institutional reform.

Nationwide rollout signals shift to implementation phase

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) handed over a wide range of critical infrastructure projects between 20 and 30 March, targeting historically underperforming municipalities and water-stressed regions.

The rollout began in Limpopo on 20 March, followed by a major milestone on 22 March (World Water Day), where 22 refurbished and upgraded sanitation facilities — including wastewater treatment works and pump stations — were officially handed over in Matjhabeng Local Municipality (Free State). This intervention alone is expected to significantly improve wastewater treatment compliance and reduce pollution of local water sources.

On the same day:

• The Misgund Bulk Water Project was delivered in the Eastern Cape, aimed at improving bulk supply reliability in rural communities.

• Additional infrastructure was commissioned in the Northern Cape, targeting water security in arid zones.

Subsequent milestones included:

• Western Cape handovers on 23 March, focusing on system upgrades and resilience.

• Launch of the Bhongweni Water Supply Project in KwaZulu-Natal (Harry Gwala District) on 24 March, designed to expand potable water access in underserved communities.

• Commissioning of the Piet Retief Water Treatment Works in Mpumalanga, boosting purification capacity and supply stability.

• Final handovers by 30 March in the Western Cape and North West (Moretele Local Municipality).

"These interventions demonstrate government's commitment to implementation and visible progress," Majodina stated, emphasizing that the projects are not isolated efforts but part of a broader national recovery strategy.

Green Drop Report exposes systemic weaknesses

The infrastructure push comes against the backdrop of persistent challenges identified in the Green Drop Report, which continues to highlight:

• Declining wastewater treatment performance in several municipalities

• Infrastructure deterioration due to underinvestment in maintenance

• Skills shortages and weak technical capacity

• Governance failures and financial mismanagement

Industry estimates indicate that over 40% of wastewater treatment works in South Africa are operating below acceptable standards, contributing to water pollution, health risks, and environmental degradation.

Majodina warned that infrastructure delivery alone will not resolve these systemic issues.

"Handovers alone are insufficient without sustainable operation and proper maintenance," she said, stressing that asset management, skilled personnel, and accountability systems must accompany capital investment.

Innovation focus: from infrastructure delivery to system sustainability

A key innovation in the government's current approach is the integration of infrastructure development with institutional reform and performance enforcement.

Unlike previous cycles that prioritized construction, the new model emphasizes:

• Lifecycle management of infrastructure

• Digital monitoring and compliance tracking

• Performance-linked funding mechanisms

• Central oversight of failing municipalities

The Department is increasingly leveraging data-driven tools from the Green Drop system to identify high-risk municipalities and direct targeted interventions. This marks a shift toward evidence-based governance, aligning infrastructure spending with measurable outcomes.

Five priority reforms to transform the sector

At the 2025 Water and Sanitation Indaba, convened under President Cyril Ramaphosa, government and sector stakeholders agreed on a comprehensive reform agenda built around five priority pillars:

1. Strengthening delivery and implementation modelsEnhancing coordination between national, provincial, and local government to accelerate project execution.

2. Mobilising investment and ensuring financial sustainabilityExpanding funding streams while improving revenue collection and financial management within municipalities.

3. Building technical and operational capacityAddressing critical skills shortages through training, partnerships, and professionalisation of municipal water services.

4. Deepening institutional reform and governanceImproving planning, oversight, and maintenance systems to ensure long-term infrastructure performance.

5. Combating criminality and corruptionTargeting theft, vandalism, fraud, and maladministration, which collectively cost the sector billions annually.

"Every act of theft, sabotage, fraud, or maladministration robs communities of their constitutional right to safe water and dignified sanitation," Majodina said.

Targeted support for worst-performing municipalities

Recognizing uneven progress across the country, government has prioritized intervention in the 105 worst-performing Water Services Authorities (WSAs) out of a total of 144.

Through the:

• Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG)

• Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG)

funding is being strategically directed to areas with the greatest need and highest risk.

However, Majodina noted that compliance gaps remain, with some municipalities failing to submit or implement corrective action plans required under the Green Drop framework.

Legislative reforms to enforce accountability

To address persistent non-compliance, proposed amendments in the Water Services Amendment Bill will introduce stronger enforcement mechanisms, including:

• Authority for national government to intervene in failing municipalities

• Mandatory appointment of licensed and capable water service providers

• Enhanced regulatory oversight and performance standards

This marks a significant policy shift toward enforceable accountability, rather than voluntary compliance.

Citizens positioned as accountability drivers

In a direct appeal to the public, Majodina reinforced citizens' constitutional rights and their role in demanding better service delivery.

"You have every right to demand better. Your water, your sanitation, your health, and your dignity are non-negotiable," she said.

This emphasis aligns with broader governance reforms aimed at increasing transparency, public participation, and community oversight.

A sector at a turning point

South Africa's water and sanitation sector faces mounting pressure from aging infrastructure, population growth, climate variability, and financial constraints. Yet, the current combination of infrastructure rollout, governance reform, and targeted investment signals a potential turning point.

The success of this strategy will depend on whether municipalities can translate new infrastructure into reliable, sustainable services — and whether reforms can effectively curb long-standing issues of mismanagement and capacity gaps.

As the Green Drop Report makes clear, the challenge is no longer just building infrastructure, but ensuring it works — consistently, efficiently, and equitably.