New institutions needed in water sector reform

He was addressing participants at the recent water pitso in Selebi-Phikwe. Thabeng said a budget for both recurrent and development that was committed for NDP 10 for Department of Water Affairs and district councils should be made available to facilitate the reform.

The coordinator further expressed the need for the approval of the Draft National Water and Wastewater Policy by the end of November/December 2011 parliament sitting. He however said the water sector reform has been progressing well and is on schedule. The reform effort started in 2008 with Phase 1 involving the takeover of water supply services in Mogoditshane, Tlokweng and the North East Bulk Water Transfer Scheme in May 2009. Phase 2 of the takeover commenced in February 2010 and involved 46 villages from local authorities and six villages operated by the Department of Water Affairs.