President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled a National Water Action Plan aimed at addressing South Africa's worsening water supply crisis and ensuring a reliable supply of quality water across the country.
The plan was released on Thursday, following a meeting of the National Water Crisis Committee (WATERCOM) at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The National Water Action Plan sets out short, medium-and long-term interventions to tackle the root causes of persistent water supply challenges affecting municipalities, communities and businesses.
Among the measures outlined in the plan are increased investment in water infrastructure, including through private-sector participation, legal and regulatory reforms to improve municipal service delivery, and efforts to tackle corruption and criminality in the water sector.
WATERCOM, which is chaired by President Ramaphosa, was established following the 2026 State of the Nation Address in response to increasingly severe water supply interruptions in parts of the country.
The committee brings together government departments and public agencies responsible for implementing the plan, as well as the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).
The Presidency said the plan was developed following extensive consultations across all three spheres of government and with key stakeholders.
WATERCOM will work with municipalities to mobilise resources, technical expertise and new partnerships to stabilise failing water systems, restore critical services and expand access.
A key part of the plan is to reform the way water services are managed and financed, including ring-fencing water revenues to ensure that money collected for water services is used to maintain and upgrade water infrastructure.
The plan also seeks to increase investment in bulk water and distribution infrastructure.
According to the Presidency, the water crisis is partly rooted in a delivery model that has resulted in water revenues being diverted to other municipal functions, leaving insufficient funds for infrastructure maintenance, investment and the recruitment of skilled personnel.
The government also identified fragmented accountability as a challenge, saying municipal water and sanitation departments often oversee technical operations while having limited control over billing, revenue collection and the protection of water assets.
The Presidency said dedicated teams have been appointed to drive implementation of the plan, accelerate results and support long-term reforms in the sector.
President Ramaphosa compared the approach to the government's response to the energy crisis, saying the same focus used to improve Eskom and reform the energy system would now be applied to the country's water challenges.
“By acting boldly and decisively to improve the performance of Eskom and reform our energy system, we were able to end load shedding and achieve a secure and reliable energy supply.
“Now, we are applying the same approach to the water crisis that has been unfolding in many parts of our country,” the President said.
The President said the plan provided a “clear, practical and focused approach” to achieving water security for all South Africans.
WATERCOM is expected to meet regularly to oversee implementation of the plan and hold government departments and agencies accountable for delivering on the proposed interventions. – SAnews.gov.za
