It shouldn’t take a global pandemic for the South African government to consider making provisions for immediate access to clean and safe water for all people in the country.
Heading into the lockdown, 5.3 million households in South Africa still did not have access to safe and reliable drinking water, yet it is one of the key preventative measures for the spread of the virus. What use is watching a government hand-washing guide when your main struggle is accessing water?
In their response to Covid-19, the Department of Water and Sanitation promised to make water available to everyone. Prior to the pandemic, the department itself highlighted that 3 million people in South Africa had no access to water, and as the outbreak hit, Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Lindiwe Sisulu promised that her department would deliver water to 2 000 communities during the lockdown period in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
It’s imperative that the government are held accountable for delivering on this promise, but also to ensure that provisions are put in place to avoid this kind of scramble in the future.
Ten weeks into lockdown, it’s reported that there are still many communities without water and that water tanks are already running dry. So, when we see South African officials congratulating themselves on Twitter for making emergency water deliveries, are we alone in wondering ‘why the celebration?’ when there are still people without water and it’s the government’s responsibility to protect our right to water?
The pandemic has highlighted that – if there is enough political will – immediate action can be taken to deliver water too all. But why hasn’t it happened before?
Perhaps it is now that the South African government can finally prioritise investment in water security for future generations.
There are many theories floating around about why South Africa is not a water secure country. Now’s the time to bust some myths and find out what’s really running South Africa dry.
Myth: Climate change is the main reason many go without safe water in South Africa
If you looked only to government funded campaigns around water shortage, you’d be forgiven for thinking that climate change may be the culprit. But climate change is by no means the only factor at play in the country’s lack of sufficient water supply. With 44% of water treatment works in poor or critical condition and 50% of water service authorities having no or very limited technical staff, the lack of adequate infrastructure and the maintenance of this infrastructure puts additional burden on South Africa’s water resources.
The government must address these challenges urgently to ensure proper usage, development, conservation and management of water resources and prioritise the investment in progressive infrastructure.
Myth: Water in South Africa isn’t always safe because of pollution
We can all agree pollution is a challenge, but with proper management, and if we filter corruption out of the water system, there would be enough clean water to meet demand. One report suggests that R4 billion has been lost to corruption since 2014. Water supply is a human right and a public service which requires the timely implementation of policies as well as transparency and accountability across all government levels. Myth: Immigration and a growing population means there isn’t enough water in South Africa The National Water and Sanitation Master Plan states that high levels of corruption have impacted on the water and sanitation service delivery in a number of municipalities. The world has enough water, but it needs to be correctly managed to develop a sustainable supply. There is much yet to be done around sourcing alternative water – it is estimated that around 85% of South Africa’s groundwater has not yet been utilised.
Myth: Water should not be free
South Africa has an indigent policy of free basic services including water, electricity and solid waste collection. By law, every household should receive the first 6 000 litres of water a month for free, only water that is used over and above this must be paid for.
But what happens when you live in a country where systemic corruption has infiltrated the water sector and hinders the government’s ability to deliver on this basic human right? Coupled with a looming economic crisis and a recent downgrade to junk status, the investment in water security will now come at an increased cost.
So, in addition to fulfilling the legal duty to provide clean and safe water for all people, it’s clear that more than ever, now is the time for transparency and a zero-tolerance approach to corruption.
Myth: People don’t have enough water in South Africa because of drought
There is a lot more to the water crisis in South Africa than drought. The lack of investment in infrastructure means that the water we do have is not being properly managed. A good example of this is that over 1/3rd of water in South Africa being lost due to ageing and leaking infrastructure.
The government must plan ahead so that when a drought – or a global pandemic for that matter – hits, adequate resources are already in place. Myth: The government doesn’t owe you water The right to water entitles everyone to have access to sufficient, safe and reliable water for personal and domestic use, as guaranteed in Chapter Two of the South African Constitution as well as international human rights laws.
Myth: South African citizens are responsible for providing their own water
Local communities are well-placed to know what their needs and strengths, are and have been largely taking this responsibility on themselves. However, the government needs to support local initiatives and lift the burden of vast corruption from communities.
FACT: It is time to make safe, running water an everyday reality for everyone
Yes, South Africa is a water-scarce country, but it is the government’s duty to invest in appropriate infrastructure so that water can be stored and managed in an efficient and sustainable way for future generations.
Take action, call on the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, to recognise that many people in South Africa are denied their constitutional right to water, and to publicly commit to providing equal access to water for everyone – now and always.
