Country Profile Regulation Country Dashboards Tariffs South Africa is the most southern country of the African continent, and one of the biggest countries in Africa, both in terms of surface area and population. Its coastline of more than 3,000 km, stretching along the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, links the east and west coasts of the continent. South Africa is bordered by Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north, Mozambique and Eswatini to the northeast and east, and Namibia to the northwest. Lesotho, an independent constitutional monarchy, is surrounded by South African territory in the southeastern part of the country. There are 278 municipalities in South Africa, comprising eight metropolitans, 44 district municipalities, and 226 local municipalities. Country Overview Year Figure Population 2021 59,392,255 Country Area (km2) 2020 1,219,090 GDP (billion USD) 2021 419.02 GDP per capita (USD) 2021 7,055 World Bank Income Group 2021 Upper-middle Income World Bank Region 2021 Sub-Saharan Africa Source: World Bank Data - South Africa Water and Wastewater Sector Structure In South Africa, the responsibility for water and wastewater services lies with Water Service Authorities (WSA), which are essentially the municipalities (either metropolitan, local, or district). In most cases, the municipality itself acts as Water Services Provider (WSP) directly through a municipal unit or department. However, this function can be performed as well by water boards, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, private sector companies, or other public bodies, although none of them can operate as WSPs without the approval of WSA. There are 144 water service authorities comprising 1,186 water supply systems. Municipalities are supplied with treated bulk water by regional water boards or with untreated raw water by the National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). After purchasing water (and treating if necessary), municipalities then distribute water to households and businesses via their own water supply infrastructure, either directly or indirectly through another WSP, and charge customers retail tariffs. Since 2000, South Africa gradually introduced free basic water and sanitation services to indigent households, and in some cases to other customers, depending on the municipality's criteria and capacity. Free basic water consists of 6m3 of water allowance per month per household. Wastewater and sanitation as well as solid waste management are subsidized to a certain degree for indigent households. Authority Level Role Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) National A government regulatory body responsible for the formulation and implementation of policy governing water resources management as well as drinking water supply and sanitation. The Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) National A state-owned institution responsible for financing and implementing the development of bulk raw water infrastructure. It plays an important role in providing financial advisory services such as structuring and raising project finance, managing debt and setting tariffs, project implementation services, and other technical support to the DWS and water boards. Water Boards (WBs) Regional Nine state-owned water service providers provide bulk drinking water and wastewater treatment services to water service authorities/municipalities within their respective service areas. They vary in size, activities, customer and revenue base, and capacity. Some of them also provide retail water and wastewater services on behalf of municipalities. Water Service Authority (WSA) Local This entity, which in most cases is a municipality, is responsible for the provision of water and wastewater services in its respective service area. Water Service Provider (WSP) Local Provides water and wastewater services to customers. This function can be performed by the municipality itself, through a department or a unit water board, a non-governmental organization, a community-based organization, a private sector company, or any other private or public body. Municipalities Local Metropolitan, district, or local municipalities, they act as water service authorities (WSAs) and in most cases also as water service providers (WSPs). Number of WSS Service Providers 144 Ownership Public Service Type Water and Wastewater Geographic Scope Municipal The Water Services Act and Municipal Structures Act are one of the most important regulations governing the sector that determine the roles and responsibilities of municipalities in providing water and wastewater services. Besides that, municipalities have the right to enact by-laws that have the same power and force as national legislation. In the absence of an economic regulator, water boards can propose different tariffs for the same service within their service area. Municipalities then charge their customers retail tariffs, each municipality deciding on its own tariffs. Considering the frequent droughts in the country, tariffs are linked to water restriction levels, with higher tariffs during the increased levels of water restrictions. According to the National Infrastructure Development Plan 2050, the establishment of a single national water regulator is planned by 2023, in order to regulate tariffs, standards, and performance in the water services sector. Water and Wastewater Regulations Legislation and Policies Year Description Water Services Act 1997 Prescribes the legislative duty of municipalities as water service authorities (WSA) to supply water and sanitation. It also clarifies the role of other water services institutions, such as water services providers (WSP) and water boards (WB). National Water Act 1998 Aims to ensure that the country’s water resources are protected, used, developed, conserved, managed, and controlled in a sustainable and equitable manner for the benefit of all people. Municipal Systems Act 2000 Defines the legal nature of municipalities. It makes a distinction between water services authority (WSA) and services provider (WSP) functions, to be in line with the Water Services Act. National Standard for Drinking Water 2015 Stipulates the framework for drinking water quality risk management and specifications for drinking water quality in South Africa. Free Basic Water Policy 2001 Makes free basic water services available to indigent households by providing an allowance of 6m3 per month per household Coming Soon Utilities Year Tariff City of Tshwane 2022 Tariff Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality 2019 Tariff eThekwini Water & Sanitation Services 2022 Tariff George LM 2022 Tariff Johannesburg Water 2022 Tariff For a more complete list of tariffs check IBNET Tariff Database - South Africa