From today, Thursday 1 July, the public will have the opportunity to comment on the City of Cape Town’s first proposed Water and Sanitation Policy. This all-encompassing draft policy represents principles that propose to guide current and future decisions in providing water and sanitation services in Cape Town. The deadline for submissions is Saturday 31 July 2021.
The proposed draft Water and Sanitation Policy outlines the principles and actions adopted by the City of Cape Town in an effort to continuously provide a reliable and sustainable water and sanitation service into the future.
The proposed policy aims to:
- Affirm the Water and Sanitation Department’s broader mandate by outlining a wide range of functions. These functions include the whole value chain of both water and sanitation service provision, from planning to supply, operation and maintenance; product quality and environmental protection as well as supportive roles by other departments which are key to providing these services to communities.
- Align with relevant national and provincial legislation, as well as other City strategies and policies. This is to ensure that relevant City strategies and policies comply with legislation and to ensure that the various stakeholders can continue to work together collaboratively to provide reliable and sustainable water and sanitation services for the future.
- Incorporate the shifts in the environmental, technological, social and economic context across the country and this sector in recent years. The impact of climate change cannot be ignored, so it is important that the approach to service provision is also reviewed.
- Inform the City’s standard operating procedures and by-laws and promote a transversal approach that engages with all relevant stakeholders for a sustainable and safe provision of water and sanitation services to the communities in Cape Town.
- Serve the Water Strategy (2019) to achieve the City’s goal of becoming a water sensitive city by 2040.
Read: Protests Delay R83 million Water Project in the Northern Cape
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste, Alderman Xanthea Limberg said, “As a City, we are committed to ensuring our communities and businesses in Cape Town have access to reliable and sustainable water and sanitation services, which in turn enables the potential to attract investment to our city for economic growth and creation of employment opportunities. We encourage the public to read the draft policy and submit their comments by 31 July.”
Public participation: comment by 31 July 2021
View the draft Water and Sanitation Policy at www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay or go to the nearest Sub council office or library for a copy
Submit comments, input or recommendations for the draft Policy online at www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay
Assistance is available for people with a disability or who cannot read or write to their submit comments. Contact the City’s Public Participation Unit: Frederick Venter on 021 400 1768 or frederick.venter@capetown.gov.za.
Enquiries relating to the draft Water and Sanitation Policy (not comments) can be directed to water@capetown.gov.za
