While OUTA and WaterCAN welcome the publication of the Blue Drop Progress Report, we are shocked by the poor state of the country’s drinking water.  Municipalities are playing with people’s lives. 

The failed systems are a direct result of the embedded and widespread corruption in DWS. The report also shows that the technical skills needed to ensure effective operations and maintenance of water treatment plants and distribution networks, are poor throughout the country, with 61% of supply systems having poor technical skills and 72% having insufficient maintenance teams. 

OUTA and WaterCAN says the time for DWS to fulfil its oversight function and assert its mandate under Section 151 of the National Water Act, is long overdue. DWS should hold municipalities liable and municipal managers should be criminally charged, fined or imprisoned for their neglect. 

Read the full story here.

OUTA's comment on the department's recently released Green Drop Report 2022 is here.

Find out more about WaterCAN here.