Madame Speaker,

If the authorities and officials tasked with the maintenance and provision of water and water services continue on their current path then I fear that we are heading for disaster and maybe a water crisis.

Dr Anthony Turton,  a senior researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), says that not only is South Africa's water quality deteriorating fast, but there is also a crisis with regard to the engineering capacity to counter this problem.

There is clearly a lack of capacity when it comes to the provision and maintenance of water services. In the rural areas such as Bushbuckridge, people have to struggle everyday to get the water needed just to perform their daily tasks; and despite efforts from the community and its leaders, support from the relevant authorities has not been forthcoming. Now we hear that there is a looming crisis with regard to engineering personnel and that the quality of our water is fast deteriorating.

It is clear that unless drastic measures are taken and more funding and resources are allocated for waster services, we will be faced with a crisis.

I therefore urge the Minister and other relevant authorities to increase their efforts in ensuring that all South Africans have access to good quality water, including the people who live in rural areas.

I Thank you.

Contact:
Mr MW Sibuyana MP, 083 662 5381