The Department together with the Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs) and the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) are responsible for water resources, bulk water services infrastructure and catchment or national water management while local government has the constitutional obligation to provide water and sanitation services within their area of jurisdiction. However, there are major challenges at the municipal level in relation to the delivery of water services. These challenges include poor maintenance and refurbishment of infrastructure resulting in increasing interruptions in supply and high levels of unaccounted for water; poor management of wastewater treatment works resulting in deteriorating raw water quality in receiving water resources; slow delivery of sanitation services, and unaffordable technology choices in some areas. The challenges are further compounded by the inadequate cost recovery in the water services sector.