National water framework consultation to focus on service delivery

Key stakeholders will convene at the Birchwood Hotel in Gauteng to discuss the final Strategic Framework for Water and Sanitation Services (SFWSS), a crucial step in ensuring the framework reflects priorities and experiences from various sectors. The national workshop, hosted by the Department of Water and Sanitation, will bring together municipal representatives, government institutions, water sector stakeholders, civil society, academia, the private sector, and the public to shape a framework that addresses sector challenges and supports sustainable services.

Following provincial consultations across the country, the workshop will consolidate inputs, address cross-cutting challenges, and validate proposals to finalize the framework. The SFWSS aims to provide strategic direction for the water and sanitation sector, enhancing governance, coordination, and service delivery. Cabinet approved the draft framework on July 21, 2026, and the public consultation process has commenced.

Dr Jack Bloom, DWS Deputy Minister, emphasized the need for municipalities to prioritize pollution prevention and river cleanup as part of the polluter pays principle. During a visit to polluted rivers in Rustenburg and Ventersdorp, Bloom highlighted the importance of proper maintenance, early warning systems, and armed security to prevent sewage spills.

He pointed out damage caused by sewage overflows into streams that feed drinking water sources, such as the Hex River into the Bospoort Dam. In August 2022, the DWS issued a notice for the municipality to address sewage spills from three pump stations, which have since been serviced with increased pumping capacity and additional security measures.

However, Bloom cautioned that cable theft remains a concern despite the installation of armed guards and an electric fence.