MUSA FURUMELE: Plugging the leaks is paramount

  • 📰 BDliveSA
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 51 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 24%
  • Publisher: 63%

South Africa Headlines News

Dealing with SA’s chronic water shortage must start with the basics — eliminating the loss of about 40% of potable supply to poor infrastructure or nonpayment

The water loss and revenue woes in our municipalities have been topical mass media and public discourse issues for many years. Yet until a crisis looms, dealing with these woes is often put on the back burner. This while it is reported that about 40% of potable water is either lost or doesn’t generate any revenue; not a pretty picture given that as much as R10bn each year could be “going down the drain” and billions of rand in municipal debt are owed to water boards.

The sluggish take-up can be ascribed to a confluence of factors, of which the lack of basic information, monitoring tools and technical skills in municipalities has been more fateful. Without such the extent, cause and cost of the problem cannot be well understood. The truth is that often we fail not because of a lack of will, but because we tend to address the wrong problems. Also, many municipalities have a limited risk appetite or capital to invest in non-revenue water measures.

An important consideration is that as these partners will not only be providing services but also having a stake in the outcome. Creativity, innovation and proactivity should prevail to the best interest of all parties. There is little wriggle room, and it is time to put aside undue scepticism and embrace the private sector and progressive approaches as a core part of the solution. Resolving the problem at hand is not a “one-day wonder” but demands sustained support, commitment and involvement.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 12. in ZA

South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Plugged-in G-Class previewed as Mercedes-Benz EQG bowsEQG represents one of the biggest transformations in the iconic G-Class' 42 year production run. pulemabe mgigaba Time to upgrade gents...
Source: TheCitizen_News - 🏆 6. / 75 Read more »

OPINIONISTA: Body beautiful: I’ll see your puberty angst and raise you middle-age insecuritiesI promised myself I would never be this person. But you know how it goes, you make plans and promises for and with yourself and the universe has a big laugh. So here I am, married for five years, with one child, one love of my life and way more than 30 grams of carbs consumed a day.
Source: dailymaverick - 🏆 3. / 84 Read more »

Actor Junior Singo falls victim to death hoax - the actor is alive and well'My family has been flooded with calls asking about me and the car accident and it been hell since the ams, like 3am. However, I am fine and I was not even in a car,' said Junior. I have lost so much through investing cause I was new and didn't meet the right account manager to invest with. I was at the verge of quitting till I was introduced to John and my story changed. its worth a try I can testify on this platform, all thanks to Hendrickspat7
Source: TimesLIVE - 🏆 28. / 59 Read more »