Let me thank Mr Groenewald for the question, and you, Deputy Chair, for giving me the opportunity to respond. I want to, in my response, preface my comments by saying that our intervention must be understood in the context of our constitutional mandate that we are a regulator.
In this context, the kind of support that we give to local government must also be understood as mainly support that would ensure that norms and standards are adhered to and also that if there is any technical expertise needed, we would be able to make ourselves available and identify where such technical support is needed.
To respond to the question directly, I can confirm that my department introduced stringent criteria for the management of waste water systems, which include treatment standards and asset management. In the current Green Drop assessment cycle, assessors are conducting consultative audits to inform the rectification requirements and process control adaptations required for waste water process optimisation.
My response to the second part of the question is that I can confirm that the department's regulatory initiatives are being intensified, with a stronger focus on the following areas: the reduction of waste water-related risks, with the objective of improving effluent quality - this speaks to the quality of all effluent that comes from our waste water treatment works, whether it will be going to the rivers or to the sea or not going anywhere; the monitoring of compliance and appropriate engagement as per the enforcement protocol; and the improvement of a skills base through the initiation of coaching programmes for technical staff at underperforming waste water treatment facilities.
You will appreciate that some of the problems that we have are the consequence of a lack of skills, especially in the smaller municipalities that are actually the owners of these assets. Waste water management improvement will be facilitated by means of an incentive-based regulation known as the Green Drop Certification programme. The Green Drop is really an incentive. We are trying to provide incentives and encourage municipalities to take action in dealing with waste water management.
In terms of the provision of sufficient drinking water, planning and funding of this function is the responsibility of the municipality. We are just concerned about the fact that many municipalities do not plan properly, and some of them do not allocate sufficient funds to this function. It is also not only this capital investment that is needed, but proper asset management that would speak to the maintenance of the systems themselves, the institutional arrangements and, most importantly, properly qualified staff and skills.
Part of this function should be regarded as an economic service. Indeed, sufficient funds should be generated from our own income as well as from appropriations of the equitable share allocation to fund such services. So, it is indeed an economic service because if the infrastructure is not well maintained, this would impact on the activities of the municipalities, especially not only on water supply but also on the effluent that would be released from the waste water treatment works. So, it is very important that we take it as such because, at the end of the day, if all of these things are not well attended to, they will impact on the areas where we live through pollution and all other problems that come with this. Thank you, Chair.