Municipal debt, corruption, and failing infrastructure threaten SA’s water security

By Thapelo Molefe

South Africa faces an impending water crisis, with nearly half of its treated water lost due to leaks, theft, and mismanagement, according to Sean Phillips, Director-General of the Department of Water and Sanitation.

Speaking at the 2025 Water and Sanitation Indaba on Thursday, Phillips said that without urgent and systemic reforms, the country’s water supply is at serious risk.

“Our country faces a water crisis of monumental proportions. If we do not take urgent steps to fix failing infrastructure, improve governance, and hold municipalities accountable, millions will be left without reliable water access,” Phillips told participants at the water and sanitation indaba.

Using slides to illustrate his points, Phillips stressed the urgent need for infrastructure investment, governance reforms, and stricter regulatory oversight to avert a full-scale collapse of the water sector.

He further outlined plans to clamp down on corruption, assist struggling municipalities, and enforce stricter accountability