Water tankers are becoming a permanent fixture in some Gauteng communities, while ageing pipes, failing wastewater systems and billions of rands in water losses expose deep-rooted problems in municipal services. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says authorities must deliver measurable improvements rather than rely on meetings and task teams.

In its Inquiry Report into the State of Water and Sanitation Service Delivery in Gauteng, released on Monday, the Commission identified systemic failures across the province’s water-services chain, including deteriorating infrastructure, inadequate maintenance, electricity interruptions, wastewater treatment failures, pollution and weaknesses in municipal distribution networks.

It was particularly critical of the reliance on institutional structures to address persistent service-delivery problems, saying their existence did not necessarily translate into better services for residents.

“The Commission therefore considers the effectiveness of such interventions according to measurable improvements in water-services performance rather than the existence or number of institutional mechanisms established,” the report states.

It added: “Put simply, another meeting will not fix the pipe.”

Water tankers becoming a permanent solution

The inquiry was conducted in Johannesburg from May 19 to 21 after the Commission’s Gauteng Provincial Office received numerous and persistent complaints.

Eight of the province’s nine municipalities appeared before the inquiry: Emfuleni, Mogale City, Midvaal, Merafong, Lesedi, Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni. Rand West City did not attend but subsequently submitted information.

The Commission found that having water available at source did not guarantee that residents received safe, sufficient and reliable supplies at home.

“The Inquiry therefore demonstrates that the availability of water at source does not, by itself, ensure that communities receive water that is safe, sufficient and reliably available at the point of use,” the report states.

One of its major concerns was the growing dependence on water tankers and communal storage tanks, particularly in informal settlements where conventional infrastructure is unavailable or unreliable.

The report describes this as a “road-based water distribution network”, in which potable water is repeatedly delivered by vehicles to communities or communal storage facilities.

The Commission warned that a system intended as an emergency response to temporary disruptions had become an ordinary means of supplying water in some areas.

Tshwane reported that it had more than 500 informal settlements. Of these, 170 were supplied through 282 water tankers, approximately 1,150 stationary 5,000-litre tanks and another 106 stationary 10,000-litre tanks.

Johannesburg reported using approximately 52 tankers and 1,500 stationary tanks to supply more than 300 informal settlements.

“Such recognition must not, however, normalise or entrench an inferior permanent level of service,” the report states.

R23bn infrastructure backlog and billions lost

The report also highlighted the financial consequences of deteriorating infrastructure and persistent water losses.

Tshwane estimated its infrastructure backlog at approximately R23 billion. Its water losses stood at about 39%, valued at R1.7 billion, exceeding National Treasury’s recommended range of between 15% and 30%.

The Commission raised concerns about shortages of engineers, scientists, process controllers, artisans and other technical personnel needed to maintain water and wastewater infrastructure.

It described municipalities as “cost shock absorbers”, warning that resources were repeatedly diverted towards dealing with preventable failures instead of improving infrastructure.

“Resources repeatedly used to keep a fragile system functioning cannot simultaneously be used to make that system less fragile,” the report states.

The findings come amid wider concerns about leaking pipes and failing water infrastructure and the pressure on municipal systems to provide reliable supplies.

DA blames governing coalitions for water failures

The report has prompted political reaction, with the DA accusing the governing coalitions in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni of failing residents.

DA spokesperson on water and sanitation Stephen Moore said the findings confirmed what communities had been experiencing.

“The failing political leaders of Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni are violating our human rights to access clean water,” Moore said.

He claimed the three metros were losing approximately one billion litres of treated water daily through physical losses.

Moore also welcomed the Commission’s description of Midvaal’s water management as “sound management”, arguing that this demonstrated a difference in governance.

Emfuleni wastewater failures remain a major concern

The Commission expressed serious concern about longstanding wastewater treatment failures and pollution in Emfuleni, particularly their impact on the Vaal River system and surrounding communities.

“The Commission finds that wastewater treatment and pollution constitute an exceptionally serious and longstanding failure within Emfuleni's water-services system,” the report states.

The Commission acknowledged improvements in wastewater operations and reduced sewage spillages but said substantial infrastructure upgrades remained necessary.

The findings add to longstanding concerns about the SAHRC’s investigations into Emfuleni’s sewage crisis.

The Commission recommended prioritising failing wastewater treatment systems, strengthening municipal technical capacity, protecting infrastructure and improving the resilience of bulk-water supplies.