President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged that years of ageing infrastructure, weak municipal management and inadequate maintenance have contributed to South Africa’s worsening water crisis, as government prepares a series of long-term reforms aimed at restoring reliable water services.
In his weekly newsletter released on Monday, Ramaphosa admitted that government has not done enough to maintain water infrastructure, improve municipal water services or respond with the urgency required to prevent the current situation from deteriorating.
His remarks come as water shortages, deteriorating water quality and recurring service interruptions continue to affect communities across the country, particularly in Gauteng, where many residents have experienced prolonged outages, reduced water pressure and repeated supply disruptions.
The president warned that South Africa faces a significant infrastructure challenge, with estimates suggesting that between R400 billion and R900 billion will be required to rehabilitate ageing municipal water systems, modernise infrastructure and reduce widespread water losses.
Recent concerns raised by civil society organisation WaterCAN have also highlighted the growing pressure on the country’s water sector. The organisation has called for greater public involvement in monitoring drinking water quality and holding authorities accountable, arguing that access to safe water cannot depend solely on government intervention.
Water security has increasingly become one of South Africa’s most pressing service delivery challenges, with failing infrastructure, population growth, climate variability and municipal financial constraints placing additional pressure on already strained systems.
Water experts have repeatedly warned that unless significant investment and governance reforms are implemented, interruptions to water supply could become more frequent in several municipalities.
Water quality concerns have also emerged in some regions, raising public health concerns and increasing demands for stronger oversight of municipal water services.
WaterCAN and other advocacy groups have urged greater transparency in water monitoring while encouraging communities to participate in reporting service failures.
Water shortages have increasingly become one of the country’s most urgent infrastructure challenges, drawing comparisons with the electricity crisis that has affected South Africa over the past decade.
Water experts have consistently argued that improving governance, investing in infrastructure and reducing water losses are essential to securing long-term water supply.
Government has already launched several emergency projects, including borehole developments in Hammanskraal, to provide alternative water sources while longer-term infrastructure upgrades are implemented.
Water sector analysts have welcomed the increased focus on reform but caution that successful implementation will depend on sustained investment, stronger municipal capacity and effective oversight.
Government has allocated R156 billion for water and sanitation infrastructure over the next three years as part of its broader public infrastructure investment programme.
The president also confirmed that the National Water Crisis Committee has been established to coordinate interventions across all spheres of government.
Long-term reform takes priority over short-term fixes
Ramaphosa said government’s response is centred on sustainable reform rather than temporary emergency measures.
He said the National Water Action Plan brings together national, provincial and local government, water boards, regulators and water service authorities under a single implementation framework with clearly defined responsibilities and deadlines.
Emergency infrastructure projects, including new boreholes in Hammanskraal, are already underway and will be expanded to additional communities facing severe water shortages.
Legislative changes aim to improve accountability
Government is also pursuing legislative reforms to strengthen oversight of the water sector.
Ramaphosa confirmed that the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency has been established to coordinate investment in bulk water infrastructure.
Public hearings on the Water Services Amendment Bill are expected to begin soon. If adopted, the legislation will strengthen enforcement powers and allow municipal managers who fail to properly manage water infrastructure to be held personally accountable.
The president said improving governance, increasing investment and combating corruption remain central to government’s long-term strategy for restoring confidence in South Africa’s water sector.
Source: Presidency of South Africa