Department of Water and Sanitation has a critical role in economic sectors and infrastructure development
As part of the Department of Water and Sanitation’s input into the Economic Sectors, Employment and Infrastructure Development (ESEID) Cabinet Cluster post-SoNA 2015 media briefing this morning, the department reiterated the critical role the security of water supply has on the broad development of the country.
A critical intervention in the economy relates to the synchronisation of the authorisation processes of the three Departments of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Environmental Affairs (DEA), as well as Mineral Resources (DMR). As the ESEID briefing statement indicated, this new integrated regulatory regime will provide for a maximum of 300 days for an EIA, water and mining rights; will reconfigure the laws, institutions and methodology for water allocation and regulations, (this in order to ensure equity and access), look into the issue of water use licenses for strategic sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, infrastructure, and integrate the current master-plan for water resource infrastructure and maintenance, in partnership with municipalities.
The DWS has worked through the previous water use license backlog and cleared it by December 2014/January 2015. The department is now engaged with the current 1660 applications that are new. The electronic water use authorisation and administration system will be launched in April 2015 bringing the process into the electronic age.
In support of and in collaboration with municipalities, the DWS will develop a master-plan for water resource infrastructure over the next 18 months. Within the work that the President has indicated will happen is the training of the 15 000 artisans and plumbers to stem the tide of the huge water losses the country experiences, to the tune of about R7 billion per annum.
These losses are mainly at the local level sphere of government. The Rand Water Learning Academy has been tasked with this effort and Minister Nomvula Mokonyane will be kept abreast of developments on this matter as it is one that is also close to her heart.
A further input into the socio-economic development of the country will be achieved through the development of the country’s major infrastructure. The DWS is part of SIP 18 which has a particular focus on water and sanitation infrastructure development.
The examples of some of the major infrastructure development at different stages of planning and construction include the Mzimvubu Dam in the Eastern Cape, the Clanwilliam Dam wall in the Western Cape, Phase 2 of the Lesotho highlands water project to benefit Gauteng and the Free State, Mokolo-Crocodile Water Augmentation Project and Mopani Emergency Works, both in Limpopo, Mdloti Development Project in KwaZulu-Natal to name but a few, as well as a number of projects under the Regional Bulk Water Infrastructure Grant project.
There will continue to be a concerted effort towards supporting local government in all endeavours to bring basic services to the people. Capacity building is also crucial to ensure the requisite skills, including through training of the 15 000 artisans and plumbers for placement primarily at local government to especially look into and resolve the matter of the heavy water losses that reach about R7 billion per annum.
The department of Water and Sanitation will continue to play its role to ensure the security of water supply for all socio-economic development, as well as to provide dignified sanitation to the people of South Africa.
Contact:
Sputnik Ratau
DWS Director: Media Liaison
Cell: 082 874 2942
