Maseru: Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) Chief Executive Officer, Percy Sechemane, has raised concern over the high levels of water losses in South Africa, particularly at municipal level. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Department of Water and Sanitation’s oversight visit to Lesotho to monitor progress on Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), Sechemane emphasized the need to address inefficiencies within existing systems to avoid unnecessary costs.

According to South African Government News Agency, Sechemane highlighted that while major infrastructure projects like LHWP are critical, the country must also focus on improving the efficiency of current systems. He pointed out that significant water losses are occurring at the municipal level, leading to higher tariffs for ordinary citizens as municipalities add costs to cover these losses. Sechemane stressed that achieving efficiency by accounting for every drop of water could prevent the need for additional phases and stabilize water tariffs.

Sechemane noted that much of the necessary infrastructure is already in place in South Africa, and proper maintenance could significantly reduce water losses. He questioned the rationale behind building new infrastructure when existing systems are inefficient, leading to increased tariffs as water is lost. He urged a focus on maintaining and optimizing current resources to avoid the need for additional spending on new assets.

The Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority is a state-owned entity responsible for financing and implementing bulk raw water infrastructure projects. As an agency of the National Department of Water and Sanitation, TCTA plays a vital role in ensuring water security for South Africa, aligning with the government’s constitutional obligation to provide universal access to water for all citizens.