EAST LONDON- The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) hosted a national consultation workshop on updated water and sanitation services norms and standards at the East London International Convention Centre on 12 September 2025. The event brought together Water Services Authorities (WSAs) from across the country to ensure a shared understanding and implementation of the new guidelines.
The workshop aimed to promote the adoption of minimum service delivery requirements for safe, reliable and sustainable water and sanitation services. It reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to upholding public health, environmental sustainability and the constitutional right to access basic services.
DWS Operational Manager Lusanda Mfenqa emphasized the importance of clear standards in a water-scarce country like South Africa. “The updated standards set clear minimum requirements for service delivery, crucial in a water-scarce country like South Africa,” Mfenqa said.
In addition Chief Director of Sanitation Services Support at DWS Andre Vanderwalt, noted that the revised norms and standards followed a rigorous development and consultation process. “We’ve gone through a thorough development process and public consultations, and now we’re presenting the final norms and standards to stakeholders,” said Vanderwalt.
He further added that, “Our goal is to ensure quality, reliable services for households, aligned with public health, environmental sustainability and constitutional rights.” Vanderwalt also highlighted stakeholder consultations held in February 2025 as a key milestone in the development process.
The Department reiterated the need for adherence to these standards as a cornerstone of sustainable water and sanitation management amid ongoing water scarcity challenges.