Opinion piece by Larry Crisp; communications manager, Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Free State:
Some people seem to confuse the roles and responsibilities of different government spheres when it comes to basic service delivery issues, particularly water and sanitation services.
National, provincial, and local governments have different roles and responsibilities to fulfil when it comes to delivering services to the people, though intertwined.
If we are to take the DWS as an example, some people think that the national department is responsible for the water that comes out of the taps in their homes. While the department has a bigger role to play, It is not responsible for the water coming out of the taps.
Here is a breakdown of the roles and responsibilities of national, provincial, and local government in water management in South Africa.
National government is responsible for overall policy and legislation, setting national water policy, and enacting water legislation like the National Water Act (1998). It acts as the custodian of the nation’s water resources, overseeing allocation and ensuring sustainable use. This includes managing large water infrastructure projects like dams. It sets national water quality standards, funding and promoting research on water conservation technologies and best practices.
Provincial government implements the national policy. It ensures national water policies are implemented within the province, considering local conditions. It develops provincial water resource management plans and coordinates water-related activities within the province. It provides technical and financial support to local municipalities for water service delivery.
Local government, being the municipalities, is responsible for the day-to-day provision of water services to residents, including treatment, distribution, billing, and sanitation. The municipalities maintain and upgrade water infrastructure within their jurisdiction, including addressing leaks and replacing old pipes, implementing water conservation programmes to encourage responsible water use by residents and businesses. They ensure efficient water service delivery and collect water tariffs to fund operations and maintenance.
Water management is a shared responsibility. All three levels of government need to work together to ensure sustainable and equitable water access. This is achieved through sharing data and expertise on water resources and service delivery. Coordinating water resource management plans across different levels of government and supporting local municipalities improve water management capabilities.
National, provincial, and local government can address water challenges and ensure everyone has access to this vital resource. These three spheres of government make sure that water is used efficiently and sustainably.
