Ramaphosa Signs New Water Security Law To Manage National Water Projects

President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a new law to help South Africa expand its bulk water infrastructure and improve existing water resources to ensure water security for the next decade.

The new law created a new agency South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Ltd responsible for developing and managing national water projects. This agency will also be able to attract private investment through innovative financing methods.

The legislation is part of broader water sector reforms aimed at boosting investment in building and maintaining water infrastructure and improving water quality. These reforms are part of Operation Vulindlela, a joint effort by the Presidency and National Treasury to speed up structural changes and support economic recovery.

"The initiative aims to modernize and transform network industries, including electricity, water, transport, and digital communications. The new law flows from a project of the Department of Water and Sanitation to restructure the South African national water resources infrastructure," the presidency said, SA News reported.

The presidency noted that recently there has been growing recognition of the need for a stronger public sector in developing, maintaining, operating and managing infrastructure, as well as supporting social and economic development.

The new law, the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Ltd Act, creates the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited. This agency aims to help the government achieve its goals of reducing poverty and ensuring sustainable and fair development while supporting socio-economic transformation.

The law aims to fix the current fragmentation in water resource management among the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), and the Water Trading Entity.

It establishes an agency that can raise its funds to boost investment in water infrastructure. The Act sets up this agency as a State-owned Company and a major public entity.

Earlier this week, the government started a public-private partnership (PPP) model for water supply, in collaboration with the National Treasury and the Department of Water and Sanitation. Deputy President Paul Mashatile said this initiative aims to tackle a potential water crisis, similar to how past efforts have addressed energy issues and load shedding.