CEO’s comment

Positive movements from the DWS

The separation of the Department of Water and Sanitation from the Department of Human Settlements demonstrates that government recognises water as a resource of critical importance. By Lester Goldman, CEO, WISA

WISA believes that this will allow for an increased focus on water and sanitation. We congratulate Senzo Mchunu on his appointment as Minister of Water and Sanitation. And we are heartened to hear President Ramaphosa emphasising the importance of water in South Africa, particularly at a time of increased droughts and collapsing water infrastructure.

WISA and its water sector partners are ready and willing to support Minister Mchunu in his new role. We call on him to consult with the sector and to adopt inclusive decision-making principles as far as possible.

Blue and Green Drop

The resuscitation of the Blue and Green Drop certification programmes to improve water quality in South Africa has been welcomed by WISA. These were mentioned in the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan (NW&SMP) and are now being rolled out again.

A full Green Drop audit and a partial Blue Drop assessment will be undertaken this year, while a full Blue Drop audit and a partial Green Drop assessment will be done next year.

In 2008, the DWS introduced the Blue Drop and Green Drop certification programmes. These measured the most important indicators for sustainable and safe water and wastewater service delivery, such as: management commitment, safety and risk planning and mitigation, process management, quality compliance, staff qualifications, and adequate budgets. The goal of the Blue Drop programme is the compliance of water supply systems with the national Drinking Water Quality Standards, while the goal of Green Drop is the compliance of wastewater treatment works with the national Wastewater Discharge Standards.

The incentive-based Blue and Green Drop programmes are aimed at raising the awareness of municipalities of good practice in water supply and wastewater treatment. The programmes can lead to many municipalities investing in their water and sanitation staff and infrastructure – thereby improving their performance. The programmes also generate a wealth of data, which enables the DWS and the water and sanitation sector at large to plan and manage the water value chain more effectively.

Movement with Regulation 2834

Regulation No. 2834 – in terms of the Water Act (No. 54 of 1956) for the erection, enlargement, operation and registration of water works – was promulgated in an attempt to ensure that operators with relevant qualifications were running the different classes of water works. This has been in a draft format for many years but is now being reviewed by the Director General at the DWS.

Regulation 2834 also been a part of the NW&SMP and will go a long way towards promoting professional excellence within the water industry with regard to process controllers. This means that the public can at least anticipate the standard of the service provided. Professionalising key positions within the water sector will ensure that the right person is in the right job and that, once they are in that job, they are professional. It will narrow down nepotism and political appointments.

Momentum

We are hoping that this momentum will continue and that other items mentioned in the NW&SMP, like an independent regulator, can be implemented. This will help to transform the sector into one where water is an economic enabler and the current water crisis is averted.