The Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa (Awsisa) on Thursday welcomed – and fully supported – Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina’s 2025/26 Budget Vote speech.

“The Minister’s speech demonstrates clear strategic intent, fiscal responsiveness and a decisive focus on institutional reform, infrastructure investment, water quality assurance and sector resilience,” Awsisa said in a statement.

In particular, the association highlighted the commitment to restoring confidence in the public water system through governance strengthening, innovation partnerships and sound financial management.

“Majodina’s Budget Vote reflects a pragmatic and visionary approach to addressing South Africa’s water and sanitation challenges, grounded in the principles of equity, sustainability and efficiency.”

In addition to the scaling up of investments in bulk infrastructure and water resource development, Awsisa further commended the firm stance on municipal non-payment and support for National Treasury’s action to enforce accountability.

Water debt has reached about R24-billion, and while Majodina convenes regular meetings with Premiers, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MECs, executive mayors and water boards to collectively respond to the challenge of debt owed to water boards by municipalities, many municipalities are still failing to honour their debts.

“As a result of these debts, 18 municipalities will have their quarterly equitable share allocation withheld by National Treasury this month,” Majodina said.

The allocation will be paid to the municipalities in tranches depending on them paying their current invoices from the water boards.

She outlined that Mangaung, Johannesburg and Tshwane no longer owe water boards.

Awsisa also welcomed the emphasis on professionalising the sector through institutional capacity-building and leadership renewal; the reaffirmation of water boards’ role as strategic enablers of regional water security and economic development; and the focus on climate-smart infrastructure and improved operation and maintenance of existing assets.

“Awsisa stands ready to support the Minister and her department in realising these priorities. We reaffirm our commitment to collaborative action, knowledge-sharing and accountability as we work together to achieve universal access to safe, reliable and affordable water and sanitation services,” the association concluded.