South Africa\u2019s water department will propose a bill to eliminate \u201cglaring inequalities\u201d in the industry and draft new conservation regulations.<\/p>\n
While the National Water Act sought to transform the sector, \u201c95% of the licensed water volume is still in the hands of white commercial farmers, leaving 5% currently allocated to emerging black farmers,\u201d Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation minister Lindiwe Sisulu told lawmakers in Cape Town Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we talk about transformation of land ownership, we should understand that land ownership with no access to water will take us nowhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
The country\u2019s mines aren\u2019t complying with their water-license conditions, while non-payment for services \u201cis a perennial problem,\u201d Vandalism and theft is also on the rise, Sisulu said.<\/p>\n
In addition, the estimated capital investment requirement is 90 billion rand ($6.5 billion) a year over the next 10 years, compared with an annual investment of 55 billion rand on water infrastructure and sanitation, Sisulu said.<\/p>\n
To tackle the problems, the department will review its tendering processes, revive a construction unit that will work with the private sector and establish maintenance task teams \u201cespecially in the water treatment and recycling stock.\u201d<\/p>\n
All investigations into alleged irregularities and corruption will be stepped up and the department will appoint a partner approved by National Treasury to deal with all outstanding reviews, Sisulu said.<\/p>\n