Mchunu allays fears of water outages in South Africa

Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has allayed fears of water outages in the country and reiterated that his department is working towards ensuring water security.

Mchunu was speaking during the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) Biennial Conference and Exhibition held at the Sandton Convention Centre on Wednesday.

He joined WISA CEO, Dr Lester Goldman, along with a number of water experts from across the country and overseas, to discuss ways of improving and enhancing efforts to ensure global water security.

ALSO READ: Mahlobo addresses water security concerns at BRICS meeting.

Mchunu spoke about the status of water in the country and allayed fears of the country facing a possible severe water outage.

While acknowledging concerns about water scarcity in different parts of the country, the Minister said there was no need for citizens to be alarmed and maintained that a total water outage would not happen in the near future.

“I can state, categorically, that we do not have an immediate threat of a water outage. However, this does not mean we are not a water scarce country, and that people should not use water sparingly.

“We do not have an immediate water crisis so to say, but we should not lower our guard,” Mchunu stressed.

Highlighting some of the interventions undertaken in water strained communities, including the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan, he reiterated the need for private partnerships to strengthen efforts of a water secured country.

The Minister reassured that his department is prioritizing the hands-on monitoring of progress with all major projects, which have been historically delayed; these include the Giyani Water Project, the Vaal River Intervention Project, Hammanskraal water quality concerns, as well as the Mzimvubu and uMkhomazi Water Projects, among others.