Water and sanitation are the most challenging industries for the African government. In South Africa, it is characterized by both achievements and challenges. The government made a strong commitment to high service standards & high levels of investment subsidies to achieve them. Since then, the country has made some progress with regard to improving access to water supply. Over past 2 decades the increase in access to safe drinking water has increased from 49% to 60%.
South Africa has a strong water industry with a track record in innovation. However, much less progress has been achieved on sanitation. Access increased only from 71% to 79% during the same period.
Two distinctive features of the South African water sector are- The policy of free basic water and the existence of water boards- bulk water supply agencies that operate pipelines and sell water from reservoirs to municipalities. In May 2014 it was announced that Durban’s Water and Sanitation Department won the Stockholm Industry Water Award “for its transformative and inclusive approach”, calling it “one of the most progressive utilities in the world ”. The city has connected 1.3 million additional people to piped water and provided 700,000 with access to toilets in 14 years. It also was South Africa’s first municipality to put free basic water for the poor into practice.
Water availability in South Africa varies greatly in space and time. While the West is dry with rainfall only during the summer and as low as 100mm, the East and South-east receive rainfall throughout the year with an average of up to 1,000 mm.
Groundwater is limited due to geologic conditions, but also is extensively utilized in the rural & more arid areas. The main rivers of South Africa are fairly small compared to the large rivers of the world. For example, the discharge of the Nile River alone is about six times higher than the available surface water resources from all South African rivers together.
African government, NGOs and many funding agencies has taken good initiatives to resolve water and sanitation issue in Africa. Online tenders related to Water & Sanitation are available in the following countries of Africa: Ethiopia, Malawi, Botswana, Kenya, Nigeria and Mozambique.
Africagateway is an online portal which provides information on tenders online across the entire Africa with different sectors to choose from. Not only private tenders but government tenders and efforts of government along with various funding agencies are also witnessed for growth in particular sector. Over a team of 300 professionals working, you can subscribe with us on Africagateway and avail a free trial.