About 88% of South Africans have access to water and 78% have access to sanitation - Minister Mokonyane

According to Department of Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane, about 88% of South Africans have access to clean drinkable water and almost 78% of the country’s population have access to decent sanitation.

“Plans are underway to explore and exhaust alternative solutions to reduce pressure on water resources and ensure that the remaining percentage is also served” Minister said.

Mokonyane also said that the department is currently paying significant attention to the issues of acid mine drainage, especially in the Gauteng province and the use of cost-effective technology in the process of desalination to increase water supply.

“The use of ground and surface water through the digging of boreholes as well as rainwater harvesting as a major source of water is one of the interventions that the department is looking to harness.”

She added that the department is fully aware of the fact that the inability to deal with issues of operations and maintenance also compromises the water quality hence the current focus on water licensing processes and regulation of the sector by the department.

The Department of Water and Sanitation plans to achieve a 15% reduction in water losses over the current financial year and intends to conclude the eradication of the bucket system programme in formal areas by December 2015.

Minister Mokonyane and Deputy Minister Pamela Tshwete delivered the DWS budget speech in Parliament on Thursday afternoon 21 May, outlining various water and sanitation projects that the department will focus on in the present financial year.

 

Issued by The Department of Water and Sanitation