The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will on Tuesday host a public consultation on the review of the Strategic Framework for Water and Sanitation Services (SFWSS) aimed at strengthening service delivery across the country.
The consultation will be held at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to comment on the draft framework and help shape the future direction of water and sanitation services.
The SFWSS was promulgated in 2003 to provide a comprehensive and coordinated framework for the provision of constitutionally mandated water services across all settlement types in South Africa.
After more than two decades of implementation, the department has undertaken a comprehensive review to ensure that the framework responds to South Africa’s current water and sanitation realities and provides updated and aligned strategic guidance for the sector.
Cabinet has approved the publication of the draft SFWSS for public comment, providing an opportunity for members of the public and interested and affected stakeholders to contribute to shaping the future direction of water and sanitation service delivery in South Africa.
“The revised framework seeks to strengthen the provision of sustainable, reliable, equitable and inclusive water and sanitation services and responds to significant policy, legislative, institutional, environmental and social developments that have occurred since the original Framework was introduced in 2003,” the department said.
The draft framework addresses several priority areas, including sanitation, gender, climate change, environmental sustainability, financial sustainability, digital transformation, and service provision to communities residing on privately owned land.
It also seeks to address persistent inequalities affecting vulnerable and underserved communities.
The department said the consultation will form part of the broader public participation process and will provide stakeholders with an opportunity to engage on the proposed strategic direction, priorities and targets contained in the draft SFWSS.
“The review of the framework presents an opportunity to ensure that South Africa's strategic approach to water and sanitation services is responsive to current challenges while supporting a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable sector for future generations.
“Following the consultation period, the department will consolidate and analyse the submissions received and consider appropriate inputs as the Framework progresses through the remaining approval processes,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
