The NWAP aims to establish sustainable & reliable provision as Ramaphosa unveils National Water Action Plan

The NWAP aims to establish sustainable & reliable provision for millions of South Africans as President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled the National Water Action Plan (NWAP), a comprehensive strategy designed to tackle the country’s worsening water supply crisis.

The plan introduces immediate, medium-term and long-term interventions aimed at improving access to clean water, strengthening municipal infrastructure, attracting investment, fighting corruption and reforming the governance of water services. Government believes the strategy can replicate the success achieved in stabilising South Africa’s electricity supply by applying a coordinated approach to the country’s water challenges.

Speaking after a meeting of the national water crisis committee, known as Watercom, Ramaphosa said South Africa must urgently rebuild confidence in its water systems while ensuring every household, business and community has access to reliable water services.

National Water Action Plan targets South Africa water crisis

The National Water Action Plan represents government’s most ambitious effort yet to resolve the ongoing South Africa water crisis, which has left many municipalities struggling with ageing infrastructure, recurring supply interruptions and deteriorating service delivery.

According to the Presidency, the NWAP seeks to:

• Improve water reliability across municipalities.
• Modernise ageing infrastructure.
• Strengthen institutional governance.
• Encourage private sector investment.
• Reduce corruption and criminal activity.
• Improve financial sustainability within municipalities.

Government says the strategy focuses on practical implementation rather than policy announcements alone, with dedicated teams established to oversee delivery.

The plan also introduces stronger accountability measures to ensure departments responsible for water services meet clearly defined targets.

Cyril Ramaphosa compares water reforms to Eskom turnaround

President Cyril Ramaphosa drew comparisons between the government’s recent electricity reforms and the new strategy for water security.

He said decisive intervention had helped improve Eskom’s performance and significantly reduce load-shedding, adding that a similar approach would now be applied to the country’s water sector.

“By acting boldly and decisively to improve the performance of Eskom and reform our energy system, we were able to end load-shedding and achieve a secure and reliable energy supply. Now we are applying the same approach to the water crisis.”

Ramaphosa described the National Water Action Plan as a practical roadmap that combines infrastructure investment, institutional reform and improved governance to achieve long-term water security.

The President acknowledged that many communities continue to experience prolonged water shortages and said the plan is intended to reverse years of declining municipal performance.

Watercom water reforms to drive implementation

The Watercom water reforms form the backbone of the implementation strategy.

Watercom was established following Ramaphosa’s 2026 State of the Nation Address to coordinate government departments involved in water management.

The committee includes:

• National government departments.
• Public entities.
• The South African Local Government Association (SALGA).
• Water sector specialists.
• Treasury representatives.

Rather than allowing departments to operate independently, Watercom is expected to coordinate funding, planning and implementation while regularly monitoring progress.

Government says the committee will also strengthen cooperation between national, provincial and local government to improve service delivery.

Municipal water infrastructure receives major focus

One of the biggest priorities within the NWAP is rebuilding municipal water infrastructure, much of which has deteriorated after years of underinvestment and poor maintenance.

Government says municipalities require substantial investment to:

Replace ageing pipelines

Many municipal water networks continue losing millions of litres of treated water through leaks every day.

Replacing outdated pipelines is expected to significantly reduce water losses.

Upgrade treatment plants

Water purification facilities in several municipalities require urgent rehabilitation to improve water quality and increase production capacity.

Expand bulk water systems

Investment will also focus on expanding storage facilities, reservoirs and bulk distribution infrastructure to accommodate growing populations.

Government believes greater private sector participation will help accelerate infrastructure delivery while reducing pressure on public finances.

Financial reforms to protect water revenue

The National Water Action Plan identifies financial mismanagement as one of the major causes of municipal water failures.

According to government, many municipalities fail to ring-fence revenue generated from water services.

Instead, income intended for maintaining water infrastructure is often redirected towards unrelated municipal expenses.

The plan proposes stronger financial controls that would ensure water revenue is used exclusively for:

• Infrastructure maintenance.
• Network expansion.
• Technical staffing.
• Equipment replacement.
• Operational improvements.

Officials argue these reforms will improve long-term sustainability while reducing service interruptions.

Governance challenges behind the South Africa water crisis

The Presidency says weak governance has become one of the largest contributors to South Africa’s water problems.

The National Water Action Plan highlights several systemic weaknesses, including:

Fragmented accountability

Water departments often carry responsibility for service delivery but have limited authority over billing, revenue collection and infrastructure protection.

Skills shortages

Many municipalities struggle to recruit experienced engineers, technicians and water specialists.

Corruption and criminality

Government also identified corruption, vandalism and organised criminal activity as factors undermining reliable water supply.

The plan proposes stronger oversight mechanisms alongside increased law enforcement cooperation to combat infrastructure theft and financial misconduct.

Water security through partnerships

Government intends to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors as part of the implementation process.

Officials say municipalities will receive support through:

• Technical expertise.
• Engineering partnerships.
• Financial investment.
• Capacity building.
• Infrastructure financing.

The objective is to accelerate delivery while improving operational efficiency across municipal water services.

Watercom will coordinate these partnerships to ensure projects align with national priorities.

Building sustainable municipal water services

The National Water Action Plan emphasises that solving South Africa’s water challenges requires more than emergency interventions.

Instead, government wants municipalities to become financially and operationally sustainable over the long term.

Among the proposed reforms are:

Better governance

Improved oversight structures will ensure stronger accountability across water institutions.

Modern infrastructure

Replacing outdated assets will reduce costly breakdowns and improve reliability.

Improved financial management

Protecting municipal water revenues will create greater certainty for future investment.

Increased accountability

Departments responsible for implementation will be regularly monitored to ensure delivery targets are met.

Government believes these reforms will provide the foundation for reliable water services well into the future.

What the National Water Action Plan means for South Africans

For households, businesses and industries affected by recurring water interruptions, the National Water Action Plan offers a coordinated strategy aimed at restoring confidence in public water systems.

While implementation will take time, government says immediate interventions have already begun, with dedicated implementation teams established to fast-track priority projects.

Success will ultimately depend on effective cooperation between municipalities, national government, the private sector and communities.

If successfully implemented, the NWAP could significantly improve water security while supporting economic growth, protecting public health and strengthening service delivery across South Africa.

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Outlook

The NWAP aims to establish sustainable & reliable provision by addressing the structural causes behind South Africa’s ongoing water shortages rather than simply responding to individual crises.

Through stronger governance, increased infrastructure investment, improved financial management and coordinated Watercom water reforms, President Cyril Ramaphosa hopes to deliver the same level of progress achieved in stabilising the country’s electricity supply.

As implementation begins, attention will focus on whether the National Water Action Plan can successfully modernise municipal water infrastructure, strengthen accountability and ultimately resolve the South Africa water crisis that has affected millions of citizens for years.