RW is not government owned but its social service function and statutory status keeps it entrenched within the public sector. Its statutes require RW to act on a nonprofit basis. RW has had to operate in a poorly positioned region of high population growth. Its Vaal river basin catchment area has erratic rainfall with a drought and flood cycle estimated at 7-11 years. But now, because of the changed socio-political climate, it faces more hurdles.
Government considers access to clean water to be a right for all.
The RDP water and sanitation programme plans to bring 25 of water per person by 2004. In the past two years, more than 1,2m new consumers have been provided with water, and the pace is being stepped up. The Water Services Act, passed by parliament in December, aims to ensure this right of access to water of all South Africans. Water boards are at the crux of government's new water structure. They are statutory bodies whose primary activity is to provide water services.