Blog tagged as 2026

Water anti-corruption forum pushes procurement oversight, ethics pledge for political parties

A high-level anti-corruption forum convened by WaterCAN, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Water Integrity Network (WIN) has called for a significant strengthening of social accountability processes in the water and sanitation sectors, with civil society and business playing a far more ac...

29.05.2026 15:59:48

Gauteng’s water crisis: mismanaged money, broken systems and a human rights failure

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is actively hosting hearings for its investigative inquiry into the Gauteng water crisis. The public inquiry officially runs from May 19 to 21, 2026, to investigate systemic infrastructure failures, intermittent supplies, and their impact on vulnerab...

19.05.2026 16:06:50

WaterCAN opposes hidden water levy increase of 65.6%

Johannesburg residents are being told that water tariffs will increase by an average of 12.5% in the City’s draft 2026/27 budget. But buried deep in the tariff documents is a separate fixed charge - the so-called “water demand management levy” - that is actually going up by a staggering 65.6%.

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08.05.2026 15:45:13

Joburg residents cannot be expected to pay more for a water system weakened by financial collapse

WaterCAN says the City of Johannesburg’s worsening water crisis is no longer only about ageing pipes, broken reservoirs, sewage spills and dry taps, but also about a city that cannot manage its finances responsibly.

The organisation said National Treasury’s intervention this week confirms that Johann...

08.05.2026 06:58:48

WaterCAN: R1bn in returned water grants is a national disgrace while communities live with dry taps and sewage-polluted rivers

WaterCAN is deeply frustrated and alarmed by reports that municipalities have returned R1 billion in unspent Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant funding to National Treasury over the past five years while communities across South Africa continue to endure dry taps, collapsing wastewater systems, sewa...

06.05.2026 11:11:07

E-Coli findings in South African schools drinking water “highly concerning”, says WaterCAN

Results from the WaterCAN Schools Water Testing Project have revealed alarming findings, with nearly a third of participating schools recording high levels of E-coli in their drinking water.

Of the 72 schools that submitted their drinking water test results to WaterCAN, 20 test results have been flag...

21.04.2026 12:03:00

South Africa’s water crisis has become a sustained violation of human rights

As South Africa marks Human Rights Day and World Water Day, the reality for millions is stark: “Day Zero” is not a future threat - it is already here. WaterCAN believes authorities at local, provincial and national level are continuing to violate the rights of millions of people by failing to provid...

20.03.2026 16:21:55

South Africa’s water crisis deepens - WaterCAN warns against “celebrating mediocrity”

WaterCAN says the latest Green Drop Report, Blue Drop Progress Assessment findings confirm a deepening water and wastewater crisis in South Africa and reflect a continued failure to act despite years of warnings.

Green Drop Report

South Africa’s wastewater treatment performance has declined, with on...

20.03.2026 16:21:55

Crisis in Mokopane – filthy water comes out of taps

WaterCAN is deeply concerned by reports from Limpopo that residents in Mokopane are facing serious questions over the safety and quality of their drinking water after discoloured, brown water was reportedly supplied to several communities.

WaterCAN was first contacted by Baba Selomo from the Young U...

20.03.2026 15:51:35

Five days without water for Joburg’s most vulnerable is unacceptable, says WaterCAN

WaterCAN has condemned the City of Johannesburg after residents of Nana’s Farm, Phumla Mqashi and Water Works, all informal settlements in the city, were left without water for five days.

The organisation said activists in the affected communities reported that there had been no regular tanker deliv...

18.03.2026 11:50:05