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Good Ship SA in for a stormy ride , come 2018 .
municipalities have approached her department in an attempt to reach a payment agreement . This is still some distance from actual settling of outstanding monies . The question can be asked why the DWS and the water boards allowed this debt to accumulate in the first place ? Water boards have been well run at arm ’ s length from government . But unfortunately , the trend of politicians to mess about in public institutions that are working quite well , has crept in here as well . First , cadres without any water experience were deployed to the boards of these entities and lately , also as managers . This political interference has resulted in this huge debt owed by municipalities , as the boards favoured political colleagues in the municipalities . The encouraging fact is that the Minister and water entities have now realised that this trend must stop . The necessary corrective steps and actions will not be nice and tough times lie ahead for these municipalities . Switching to private water sources : Especially in drought-stricken areas , we will observe more and more consumers switching to their own alternative water supplies by using boreholes , water re-use , and rainwater harvesting . This will stimulate private sector involvement and technological development , but will mean less water sales by municipalities and dwindling income . Poor service delivery will further promote this trend .
The financial viability of many water institutions is now at risk . It
About the author
Helgard Muller is a regular contributor to Water , Sewage and Effluent ( WSE ). His vast knowledge in policy and regulations while at the Department of Water and Sanitation adds huge value to WSE .
was all too easy to let some things slip and avoid the hard decisions , but now the chickens have come home to roost . The year 2018 will be exciting and stimulating in many aspects — tough for some , but also present great opportunities for others in areas such as water re-use and construction in Lesotho .
A rudderless water sector has a lot of bailing to do to remain afloat . Is 2018 going to throw it a lifeline ? u
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