Mr Speaker, the DA supports the provision of water and sanitation to more than a million households over the last five years. The work of increasing access to water will no doubt continue as it is dictated by the Constitution. There are, however, serious concerns in the water management sector, all of which are known to the Department of Water Affairs. The problem is that the budget does not recognise the urgency of these problems.
While the water provision sector is made up of several role-players including municipalities, water boards and the national department itself, there is a lack of leadership from the national department in seeking solutions, particularly when it comes to water quality. Of the 145 water services authorities assessed, only 22 achieved Blue Drop status, the highest and most appropriate measurement for clean water.
The Blue Drop report says that with regard to many municipalities urgent attention is required. This is unsurprising when one considers that the vast majority of municipalities only have one or no water engineer in their employ. Research by Dr Heidi Snyman in 2006, revealed that 30% of the country's sewerage treatment plants required urgent attention, while a further 66% of plants need intervention in the short to medium term.
With regard to dams, 160 of those owned by the state do not meet safety standards; regrettably this figure has not changed over the last three years. Furthermore, several water boards are, according to the Auditor- General's recent reports, not going concerns and need intervention from the department.
Lastly, the budget does not address the rapidly growing problem of acid mine drainage that is polluting water sources in Gauteng and the increasing incidence of algae toxins that are polluting bulk water storage dams in the same province. The warning signs are evident, the potential for localised water crises is high. The DA will not support this budget. Thank you.