Melanie Gosling, Cape Times June 17th

Western Cape municipalities need to spend R6.6bn to replace decaying water and sanitation infrastructure in local authorities throughout the province.

This was one of the findings of an audit commissioned by the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, which said it would take a massive R56bn to fix the crumbling water and sanitation infrastructure throughout the country. The Western Cape municipalities whose water and sanitation infrastructure are in the worst condition are Knysna, Drakenstein, Stellenbosch and Breede Valley.

The report which described the need for upgrading both water and sanitation infrastructure as “urgent” said in some regions the infrastructure was so dilapidated that raw sewage was discharged into rivers and on to streets, creating both a serious human health hazard and a threat to the natural environment. “Because of this situation, the quality of drinking water could, in some instances, lead to deaths” the report said.

Western Cape municipalities would have to spend R3.7bn on replacing infrastructure for water provision and R2.8bn on sanitation infrastructure. About 85% of the sewerage system infrastructure in all provinces was classified as “dilapidated” and had a short remaining lifespan. Sewerage systems in Gauteng were operating at 102%, and there were still 224 264 households that were waiting to be linked to the system. About 90% of all municipal water treatment facilities nationally which treated bulk water supplies from dams and rivers were in need of replacement. Only the W.Cape and Gauteng municipalities scored above the required 90% for complying with drinking water quality standards.

One of the major reasons for the dodgy state of municipal infrastructure was that local councils had spent most of their money on new infrastructure and failed to maintain and refurbish existing infrastructure. Some other reasons were a lack of planning by councillors. the awarding of contracts to inexperienced contractors, lack of skilled officials to operate facilities, inability of officials to budget for and operate infrastructure, vacant managerial and operational posts, lack of technical ability to plan and manage capital intensive water services projects, mostly unqualified controllers, lack of financial skills and poor money management.

Water resources in most provinces were stretched, and Limpopo, North West and Northern Cape had exploited all their water resources fully. In spite of this, water losses in all municipalities were “unacceptably” higher than 25%. The “acceptable” international water loss standard was between 10 and 15%.

A report last year found that one in three councillors could not read or write. Many did not understand council proceedings, their responsibilities or municipal legislation.