The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has launched the Water and Sanitation Services on Privately Owned Land Policy.

The landmark policy, which aims to accelerate the delivery of access to water and sanitation services on privately owned land, followed a 2019 court case that sought to enforce the provision of basic services to farm dwellers and others who reside on privately owned land in different parts of the country.

Following this, the department developed the policy which underwent extensive nationwide consultative processes from December 2022 to March 2023, with subsequent Cabinet approval in November 2023 for implementation, said Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu.

The department aimed to provide a policy framework on how to deal with the provision of water services to those on privately owned land, he told farm dwellers attending the policy launch, held in the uMshwathi local municipality, in KwaZulu-Natal, in collaboration with uMngeni-uThukela Water, the Association for Rural Advancement, uMgungundlovu district and uMshwati municipality.

“The purpose of the policy is to outline government’s intentions regarding water and sanitation services provision to residents living on privately owned land. It establishes a framework for enhancing water and sanitation services provision in such areas, with specific strategies to be developed at provincial, district and local municipal levels,” he explained, noting that measures have been put in place to ensure the effective and successful implementation of the policy, working collaboratively with other sister departments, civil society organisations and all spheres of government.

A comprehensive status quo analysis has been done by uMgungundlovu district municipality in response to the 2019 court judgment and to date, four boreholes in uMngeni, two in iMpendle, one in uMshwathi, nine in uMkhambathini and two in Richmond have been developed to ensure access to clean water.

A total of 231 basic sanitation facilities have been provided within the uMngungundlovu district municipality.

Further, uMsunduzi local municipality has started with the planning process and has conducted a census of all farms under their jurisdiction needing clean water and safe sanitation services, which will enable them to allocate resources and start with the implementation of the policy.

The DWS aims to implement the policy nationwide.

“As much as the policy is being launched under the uMgungundlovu district, its implementation will cover all corners of South Africa. We are calling upon all stakeholders to avail their resources and work alongside the department to ensure the full implementation of the policy. This policy is not just a document, but a programme of action to provide basic services to people living on privately owned land,” said Mchunu.

“It is not just a set of rules but a commitment to a shared future where communities thrive, the environment flourishes, and every individual experiences the dignity that comes with access to basic water supply and sanitation services.”