POLICING WATER KEY TO GROWTH

THE OBLIGATION placed on the government by the Constitution to provide South Africans with universal access to water appears not to be respected by communities who often fail to protect water infrastructure.

This is mind-boggling, considering the current scarcity of water in some parts of the country which are also battling devastating drought.

The importance for communities to play a role in policing and guarding water infrastructure must be ingrained in their everyday activities.

In addition to advocating for the provision of basic water and sanitation services, communities have a responsibility to respect and protect water infrastructure from theft and vandalism.

Given that water is a key factor for the development of the economy, it is sensible to conclude that if communities are not acting in tandem with the Department of Water and Sanitation to protect water infrastructure, striving for equal access to water will not materialise.

If the water infrastructure is left exposed to thieving and vandalism, the calls to transform the water sector and move the previously disadvantaged from the periphery of the economy to the mainstream economy will be nothing but a pipe dream.

In this regard, the Department of Water and Sanitation believes that community participation in water issues is vitally important and must receive much more attention.

For a long time, sections of South Africans were historically denied access to water or its economic benefits. This resulted in communities being excluded and deprived of this source.

It must be acknowledged that some communities are working hard to protect and supervise water infrastructure. In addition, some impressive work has been done to ensure that the positive obligation to police water infrastructure is given impetus. However, these efforts have not been sufficient to ensure communities are not deprived of water by theft and vandalism.

The policing and supervision of water infrastructure by communities is singularly important.

Striving to change the lives of the people for the better without providing a conducive environment that enables access to water will defeat the whole project of addressing the disparities of the past. It merely preserves the economic exclusion that the government is working to change.

By having access to water, communities have an opportunity to better their lives. Thus, water is an integral part of any enterprise, if it is to thrive and become a success.

Currently, the department is working flat out to refurbish water infrastructure, investing in human resources and stimulating innovation and technological development.

Through this, it is hoped that it will partly redress historical inequalities and increase participation in the governance and management of water resources.

Throughout March, the department will work with community stakeholders to mark National Water Month and to transform the water sector. The department is keen to work with communities to highlight several issues, including communities taking ownership of the water infrastructure and thereby achieving equity.

In this way, water infrastructure will not only be seen as government property but that of the nation.

Since water is strategically placed and central for national growth and development, a wide array of stakeholders must play an active part to ensure that the water sector achieves transformation for the benefit of all.