As South Africa responds to COVID-19 as well as aims to stimulate the economy and job creation post-lockdown through an infrastructure-led package, an opportunity should not be missed to address many of the water and sanitation challenges in the country. This is much needed and would provide multiple benefits not only to the economy but also the poor communities that need the infrastructure and services, as well as municipalities that require strengthening of their water and wastewater infrastructure. The report explores how the stimulus package can be an opportunity to bridge the water and sanitation gaps, through rolling out locally-manufactured solutions that would also strengthen South Africa’s global competitiveness and export potential.
The contents of the report include:
- Multiple benefits of focusing on water and sanitation
- Avenues to include water and sanitation in stimulus package
- Addressing non-revenue water
- Investing in water demand management
- Investing in water and wastewater treatment
- Building ecological infrastructure
- Rolling out appropriate sanitation systems