Law approved to create new water infrastructure agency - does this make sense?

President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved a law which allows the formation of a new South African water agency.

The 'National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency' will be responsible for developing and managing national water infrastructure.

Importantly, it will also be able to mobilise finance for new projects through 'innovative models' to crowd in private investment, says the Presidency.

It describes the Act as establishing this new agency as a vehicle to achieve the strategic objectives of government to eradicate poverty and to ensure sustainable and equitable development.

The City of Johannesburg is a prime example of residents struggling due to poorly planned and maintained water infrastructure.

RELATED: Joburg Water: Residents will experience low pressure to no water

Could a National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency prove more effective in addressing the country's water woes by minimising fragmentation among existing agencies?

John Perlman gets comment from Teboho Mofokeng, lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering at UCT and  PhD candidate in the Water Research Group.

Mofokeng believes it would have been more beneficial to streamline the institutions that we currently have.

"I agree with the point of view that institutionalising the lack of ability for municipalities and other water agencies to implement big projects is not necessarily going to help us."

"The intention would be if they can unlock the process of getting environmental approval right for example, if it's fitting at that level they could then expedite those things because they have access to all the other institutions."

"My concern with the new institution is how do we find alignment in terms of who is responsible for what... and it could take years to get up to speed."

Teboho Mofokeng, UCT Future Water Institute

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