Deputy Speaker, the ACDP believes that South Africa is facing a water crisis as ageing infrastructure and rising demand spew potentially deadly bacteria into water systems in South Africa. The quality of our drinking water is supposed to be monitored monthly and it is purported to be amongst the best in the world. However, we know that, particularly in the rural areas, much still has to be done and there are serious concerns about the acceptability and the value of that water.
Outdated infrastructure and problems in retaining skilled staff have contributed to unacceptably high levels of pollution in many rivers and dams. We have the situation of millions still lacking access to flush toilets and piped water, and, of course, as I mentioned, the threat of waterborne diseases is very serious. The reported levels of the potentially deadly E.coli bacteria have been so high in certain areas that municipalities have been forced to issue boil alerts and supply water to severely affected communities by tanker trucks.
The new Eskom power stations and key industrial developments will require substantial bulk water and capital investment, estimated, as has been mentioned earlier, to the amount of R100 billion. Clearly these are aspects that we need to look into very seriously and Treasury needs to address this issue in detail.
The ACDP calls on South African residents in the country to conserve water as well as the government to embark on a public awareness campaign similar to the one that we had during the power shortage. If we do not attend to this water crisis, we will be facing very serious public health issues arising from waterborne diseases. Thank you.