RAND WATER ANNUAL REPORT 2023

FOREWORD BY THE MINISTER OF WATER AND SANITATION

with municipalities to ensure a sustainable provision of the life-giving resource and uninterrupted water service. Water and sanitation are at the very core of sustainable development, critical to the survival of people and the planet. There is a proportionate relationship between water availability and level of development including improvement in the quality of health care. While the demand for water exceeds the available supply, the level of backlog is being eroded. We participated in the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Water Management at which we pledge to marshal all the resources and institutions towards the achievement of SDG 6 which seeks to ensure safe drinking water and sanitation for all, focusing on the sustainable management of water resources, wastewater and ecosystems, and acknowledging the importance of an enabling environment. The challenges to water availability are not only threatened by excessive demand but also variability in climate which is facing the whole world. The Department implemented steps to improve water management by directing water to appropriate courses, thus reducing the impact of floods. On the other hand, the Department announced several infrastructure projects aimed at collecting water in reservoirs and water courses that will be required especially during extreme drought periods. These long-term measures remain necessary considering extreme global weather patterns that have been experienced Rand Water completed some of the major infrastructure projects. The 210 Mℓ Vlakfontein reservoir has been completed in February 2023. This reservoir provides additional storage needed and will aid supply of the rapidly increasing water demand in the east of Pretoria and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. This is the largest post-tensioned concrete reservoir in the world.

Mr. Senzo Mchunu, MP Minister of Water and Sanitation

It gives much pleasure to inform the stakeholders about the performance results for the 2022/23 Financial Year as informed by the compact entered with the Board who represent the Accounting Authority of Rand Water. Rand Water is mandated to provide services to the provinces of Gauteng, and parts of the North-West, Mpumalanga and Free State and is the largest Water Board that services the economic hub of the country. All-important stakeholders, especially the citizens of this country, must take comfort that their wellbeing remains our priority. The Department of Water and Sanitation remains committed to resolving the challenges of water and services delivery. Rand Water as directed by the Department has implemented programmes to support local government around water resources management. Access to potable water is a constitutional right and therefore Rand Water has partnered

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