Challenges in meeting the regulatory and commodity imperatives of water supply

The study investigated the challenges of the water sector value chain at Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM). The investigation was necessitated by water shortages and the poor quality of potable water in the municipality and other parts of the country. The findings reveal a potential lack of compliance with certain regulations set forth by the Water Services Act (108/1997) within CHDM. The continuation of the non-payment culture by some water consumers due to poor affordability, resistance, and municipal billing challenges requires a multi-pronged policy approach that addresses structural, systemic, and human factors. Regarding the interplay between water as a constitutional right and water as a business, generally, there is consensus that water should be paid for by the consumers; affording consumers should pay, and the indigent should be subsidised by the government. Given the infrastructural challenges, a policy framework is recommended that would enable bulk water supply to be upgraded, delipidated infrastructure to be replaced, revenue collection to be improved, and revenue for the provision of water services to be ringfenced.