NEWS 9
We need transparency in water regulation
In light of the water crisis in South Africa , Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse ( OUTA ) has seen a growing request from the public to investigate possible maladministration within the Department of Water and Sanitation ( DWS ) regarding concerns around governance , transparency , and corruption .
OUTA ’ s strategy to hold governing authorities to account on pertinent public interest matters will now introduce an additional portfolio to set its sights on water issues . It will begin by ensuring that all relevant information regarding water and sanitation management is transparently available to society . “ By doing so , we intend to expose areas of possible maladministration and corruption , which we believe is evident from the information we have received ,” says Julius Kleynhans , OUTA ’ s portfolio manager for Water and Environment Affairs .
In this regard , OUTA has requested ( through a Promotion to Access of Information Application , or PAIA ) the Minister of Water and Sanitation to publish the following reports , which indicate water quality , water loss , and compliance :
• Complete Blue Drop reports of 2015 and 2016 ;
• Complete Green Drop Report of 2015 ;
• Complete Non-Revenue Water reports of 2014 and 2016 ; and
• Complete Regulatory Performance Monitoring System reports for 2015 and 2016 .
“ The DWS has in the past made these reports available to the public ; however , it now appears that this valuable information is now being confined to DWS regional offices and municipalities ,” says Kleynhans . “ We believe this lack of transparency to the public and civil society is unacceptable and disempowers society ’ s ability to hold government accountable for service delivery on this critical matter .” We trust that the DWS will work with OUTA and embrace a spirit of transparency and engagement with us , in a manner that ensures that the best interests of the public are attended to at all times . PA
“ We intend to expose areas of possible maladministration and corruption .” www . plumbingafrica . co . za March 2017 Volume 23 I Number 1