Part of the WISA (Water Institute of Southern Africa) roadshow to municipalities in Limpopo, this week ending the 20th March, delved into the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) regulation 3630, the Blue Drop, Green Drop and No Drop programmes.
The roadshow coincides with National Water Week, and was held in partnership with the DWS, WISA, the Limpopo Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) and the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA).
Sessions were held in Vhembe, Capricorn Districts, as well as Tzaneen, Waterberg and Groblersdal.
Dr Lester Goldman, WISA director, said the roadshow formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen municipal water and wastewater service delivery, enhance regulatory compliance, and build technical capacity across Water Services Authorities.
It was attended by municipal leadership, technical officials, process controllers, and sector stakeholders.
DWS highlighted that many districts in Limpopo remain in a critical state, and municipalities were urged to submit their Corrective Action Plans and ensure accurate reporting through the Integrated Regulatory Information System (IRIS) system.
It emerged that up to 80% of an asset’s lifecycle cost occurs during the O&M phase- Operations and Maintenance (O&M).
So MISA wants the prioritisation of Operational Management Plans and Maintenance Management Plans, and pledged to provide technical support and capacity-building programmes to municipalities.
WISA emphasised that professionalisation is not only about compliance, but about building accountability, competence, and resilience within municipal water services.
The Limpopo Water and Wastewater roadshow reinforced the message that sustainable water and sanitation services depend on strong governance, skilled personnel, effective operations, and proactive maintenance.
Picture of Dr Lester Goldman, at the Limpopo roadshow.