The Gauteng Provincial Government says it is intensifying efforts to restore stable water and sanitation services in Emfuleni Local Municipality amid growing concerns over deteriorating infrastructure, sewer spillages and severe water losses.
The commitment was reaffirmed during ongoing South African Human Rights Commission hearings into water challenges in Gauteng, where Emfuleni Municipal Manager April Ntuli detailed the scale of the municipality’s infrastructure and financial difficulties.
According to Ntuli, the municipality is battling aging infrastructure, intermittent water supply, illegal water connections, electricity outages and non-revenue water losses estimated at about 70%.
He told the hearings that the losses continue to place immense pressure on municipal finances, forcing the municipality to redirect revenue generated through rates and taxes towards water-related obligations and operational costs.
Ntuli revealed that Emfuleni has spent approximately R79 million over the past five years on water tankering interventions to provide relief to 33 informal settlements lacking adequate infrastructure, as well as emergency assistance to affected communities.
The municipality said several measures are being implemented to improve service delivery, including infrastructure rehabilitation programmes, strengthened operational interventions, improved human resource capacity and the development of a long-term water and sanitation master plan.
As part of broader reforms, the municipality announced the establishment of the Vaal Corporation Water Utility (VCWU), a special purpose vehicle that will manage, operate and rehabilitate water and sanitation services in Emfuleni. The utility is expected to become operational on 1 July 2026.
Ntuli also acknowledged improvements since the implementation of Section 63 intervention measures under the Water Services Act, through which the national government assumed control of the municipality’s water and sanitation services. He said the intervention had helped stabilise governance and operational systems within the municipality.
The Gauteng Provincial Government said it remains committed to working with municipalities, water entities and other stakeholders to accelerate infrastructure renewal, reduce water losses, strengthen revenue management and ensure residents have reliable access to clean water and dignified sanitation services.