A World Bank backed Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi delegation recently completed a week long tour of the Eastern Cape, in a bid to learn how South Africa tackles its water supply challenges.

The respective Asian countries’ governments are on a drive to improve water quality and efficient use of the resource for human consumption and sanitation, and to improve access in rural areas.

The 12 member delegation which comprised of government officials from the three countries and  World Bank
representatives were hosted jointly by Amatola Water, Department of Water Affairs (DWA), Amathole District Municipality (ADM) and Chris Hani DM (CHDM) in the Eastern Cape and also toured Pretoria and KwaZulu-Natal.

Amatola Water programme manager Sazile Qweleka says the delegation learnt from the utility’s quality control measures.

“They certainly recognised the improvements done by Amatola Water in its water treatment works,  water quality and reduced wastage. The purpose of the tour was an attempt to learn from that kind of efficiency and success in the area of water management and quality control,” says Qweleka.

Amatola water has improved systems in water works and has in the past two years been awarded three Blue Drops Certification for its three main water treatment works, Peddie, Laing and Nahoon.

“I have been impressed with the institutional arrangements for implementation of sanitation and water supply in South Africa. The quality monitoring has also been good,” says India government official Puran Singh Yadav.

Qweleka adds that there were similarities in water and sanitation challenges between South Africa and the Asian countries and that information sharing on how to tackle the challenges could benefit both sides.

South Africa has also been hit by droughts in recent years and harsh weather patterns have seen floods and storms hit large parts of the country in recent months.

Although parts of India are affected by droughts, rainfall is generally not scarce, but water pollution and wastage has become a threat to water supply over the years.

This, coupled with sporadic regional weather patterns has prompted the Indian government to seek solutions to water and sanitation challenges for sustainability.

“(India) has its own problems. At some places the water is scarce, whereas some places have a surplus,” says Singh Yadav.

For Pakistan and Bangladesh, curbing wastage and ensuring that rural communities have access to quality drinking water has become a stark reality for the governments as both countries face water and sanitation challenges.

India is the second most populous country in the world with two billion inhabitants, a population size surpassed only by China. The country has recognised that the South African government, although still dogged by sanitation challenges is gaining inroads in addressing turning the tide.

According to Singh Yadav, 71 percent of the Indian population lives in rural areas with agriculture a central feature of the rural economy. 

The country spends billions every year to improve access to water for rural communities and has had success in that area.

“Our National Government has a big programme namely National Rural Drinking Water Programme for the rural areas. The programme is implemented through Provincial Governments.”

A decade ago rural areas had 22 percent sanitation coverage. But an Indian government programme has begun to turn the tide, with 60 percent of rural areas now having access to sanitation, says Singh Yadav.

Now that India’s government seeks more controls to further improve quality and monitoring in a multi-billion rupee programme.

“We are planning sustainable water supply systems with the huge financial allocations,” Singh Yadav says.

For more information:
Connie Buso
Amatola Water
PR Manager
Telephone: 043 707 3700

For Amatola Water media relations:
Siya Miti
SMG Africa
Telephone: 043 7268833
Cellular: 071 153 9913