Municipalities urged to insource water tankers amid R264m outsourcing bill

By Simon Nare

Gauteng Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Infrastructure Development MEC Jacob Mamabolo has called on municipalities to insource water tanker services amid soaring costs linked to temporary water supply.

Mamabolo revealed that some municipalities had spent as much as R264 million over three years on water tanker services, arguing that costs could be reduced if municipalities procured their own tankers instead of outsourcing the service through tenders.

“We are encouraged by the investments some municipalities are already making towards procuring their own portable water tankers. While this is a welcome development, we believe more resources must be directed towards expanding these capacities, as outsourced tanker services continue to drive significant expenditure,” said Mamabolo.

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The MEC said water tanker services remained critical in ensuring water security, particularly in areas experiencing shortages and in informal settlements. However, he urged municipalities