DWS , quo vadis ? municipalities comment
We may indeed be asking where the Department of Water and Sanitation ( DWS ) is going in terms of really getting things done in a manner that provides encouragement to the people of this country , especially those who have no water and sanitation — a basic human right !
These introductory remarks may give the impression that everyone and everything in the DWS is inept . A misconstrued thought , as there are good people in the department trying their level best to fulfil the mandate for the department despite the politics and nonsense surrounding them .
Can we believe everything printed in our newspapers , especially when fake news is the order of the day ?
Certainly , in matters pertaining to polluted rivers , drought and such we can . When the church starts putting pressure on government to deliver the most basic of services to people , one knows we really do have a problem .
Let us consider the fact that OUTA has now established a Water Portfolio to look into corruption and maladministration . ‘ Toxic contaminants choking one of Gauteng ’ s main river systems — scientists have established the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ( PAH ); this affects one of the highly populated areas south of Johannesburg ’, and ‘ Hydrologist calls Eastern Basin acid water plant a sledgehammer — a R1-billion treatment plant for acid mine drainage could ultimately create more toxic water ’.
It goes on and on . OK , so the media tells only the bad things ; yet , why is OUTA having to use the courts to get documents that should be in the public domain ?
On another note that is not picking on the DWS , but those government institutions at all levels , from metros to water boards . Local municipalities , companies , individuals , water user associations , and bulk payers owe the DWS R9.2-billion ! How can we expect the DWS to do its work when it is owed such an amount ? It is small wonder that the DWS is broke . Whoever is running their finances , we suggest you take some tough action and recover this money . It is unacceptable that any organisation is expected to run under such trying circumstances and yes , where to now DWS ? u
Rory
Rory Macnamara | Editor
Water Sewage & Effluent March / April 2017 1