WATER AND ENVIRONMENT
Projects relating to the department of Water and Sanitation, as well as regional authorities that threaten South Africa’s water security and quality.
OUTA’s Water and Environment Portfolio was established to address the following core focus areas, whereby we believe our work will improve the performance of Government, its respective departments and its state owned entities in the delivery of services to society:
Core Focus Areas:
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To expose and address maladministration and corruption in the Water Sector in South Africa.
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To challenge water tariff pricing where this is deemed to be necessary and based on good research and facts.
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To represent society / our supporters on Policy development (in Parliament & other functions) to ensure rationality and best outcomes to society.
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Engage and provide input to Government / Parliament when requested to do so, within our mandate and capacity.
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To further the aims and development of OUTA’s Water and Environment Portfolio through:
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Media Statements in response to developments of projects, cases and reaction to matters pertinent to factors impacting on civil society in the energy sector.
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Participate in national conferences (Private and Public Sector), where Civil Society input is required.
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Position Papers and opinion pieces where necessary.
In this portfolio we have undertaken the following projects:
LESOTHO HIGHLAND WATER PROJECT
The Lesotho Highlands Water Project which started in 2004 and scheduled for completion in 2019 has been delayed numerous times and extended to 2025. The project aimed at long-term provision of water into the Vaal river system – Gauteng’s primary source of water – was halted several times due to direct interference into the tender process by the former Water and Sanitation Minister, Nomvula Mokonyane. OUTA has learned that the project meant to cost SA tax payers R15,5 billion is now being tabled at R26billion.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMPLAINT
OUTA notified the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on the lack of monitoring and compliance by the Department of Water and Sanitation which is the custodian of Water. OUTA sought the SAHRC to investigate the complaint.
INDEPENDENT WATER REGULATOR
Owing to failures in the regulatory function of the Department of Water and Sanitation, OUTA and WSSA are collaborating in advocating for regulator in the water sector that is independent from the Department.
ONGOING PROJECTS
JOINT COMMITTEE INQUIRY
In 2018, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation together with the Standing Committee on Public Accounts sought to undertake a Parliamentary inquiry into the challenges confronting the Department of Water and Sanitation.
BUCKET ERADICATION PROGRAMME
Access to adequate sanitation is a human right which can be inferred from the right to inherent dignity (section 10 of the Constitution), a healthy environment (section 24 of the Constitution) and access to adequate housing (section 26 of the Constitution).
SEDIBENG REGIONAL SANITATION SCHEME
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is undertaking an inquiry into whether or not the state of the Vaal River violates or threatens human rights including environmental rights in terms of section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.