Water Investment Authority
Home >> Economic >> Water >> Water Investment Authority

Individual Reform: Water Investment Authority 2026 - 2027

The president is expected to sign the NWRIA Bill into law in the second half of 2024.

National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Act

No data available for the deliverable: National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Act

No data available for the deliverable: National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Act

No data available for the deliverable: National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Act

No data available for the deliverable: National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Act

No data available for the deliverable: National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Act

No data available for the deliverable: National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Act

No data available for the deliverable: National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Act

No data available for the deliverable: National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Act

Summary

The National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency (NWRIA)'s role will be to manage mega projects and support municipalities in putting in place partnerships with the private sector. It also manages several priority programmes including water conservation and demand management, water reuse, wastewater treatment improvement and seawater desalination.

In May 2026, the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Amendment Bill (2025) was enacted by the president, paving the way for the proposed NWRIA's listing as a Schedule 2 public entity under the Public Finance Management Act. This is the second piece of legislation in this sphere, following enactment of the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Act (2023) in February 2025. This legislation enables the establishment of a new state-owned company to manage national water infrastructure.

In April, Cabinet approved the board of the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency, whose members bring extensive expertise and experience in the water sector, positioning the agency well to drive investment in water infrastructure. Chairperson is Ramateu Johannes Monyokolo, who is current chairperson of Randwater and the Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa. Monyokolo is a strong appointment given his credentials and expertise in governance, audit and risk oversight. He has also been outspoken about the need for water reforms, given municipal debt to water boards, revenue collection challenges and the need for financial sustainability.

The other members of the board similarly have extensive experience in the sector, having served on water boards and on water governance bodies, reflecting a deep understanding of the challenges in the sector. Two of the members are on the board of the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (to be folded into the NWRIA) and will be able to bring with them the necessary institutional knowledge."

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

The National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency (NWRIA) is still being established.

Actions

One of the two primary bills in this sphere has been enacted and the other awaits presidential signature. In May, Cabinet approved the board of the NWRIA.

Are there plans?

To form the water agency, this legislation mandates the incorporation of the TCTA, part of the infrastructure branch of the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Water Trading Entity and all state water assets into this state-owned company.

Is it on the agenda?

Formation of the agency forms part of reforms driven by Operation Vulindlela in the water sector and the water and sanitation department has established the legislation to form the NWRIA.

Goals

The National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency Act enables the NWRIA to be established to manage mega water infrastructure projects across the country. The agency will also be accountable for addressing project delays as most of the water infrastructure projects are behind schedule like the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase II and the Mzimvubu Water Project.

Documents

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Water and Sanitation Operation Vulindlela

Analyst: Thabani Madlala
Status: in-progress
Last Updated:
Next Update:
Got an Update? Follow this reform
Reform Area:
Reform:

    If you would like to alert our analysts to an update you are aware of in this particular reform area, please complete the form below and submit it to us. Please ensure you include links to any press releases or other documents to confirm the reforms and provide detail to allow our analysts to assess the changes. Our team will review it.

    Water Partnerships Office

    Summary

    The WPO, with the DBSA as the mandated implementing partner, was launched in 2023 to facilitate partnerships and private investment in the water industry.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Action met

    Actions

    WPO is established.

    Are there plans?

    To facilitate partnerships and manage joint accounts for specific funding for projects.

    Is it on the agenda?

    To support municipalities to put in place partnerships with the private sector. Also manages several priority programmes including water conservation and demand management, water reuse, wastewater treatment improvement and seawater desalination.

    Goals

    Established by the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Water Partnership Office (WPO) aims to accelerate water and sanitation infrastructure delivery across the country in line with the national water programme.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    The WPO, with the DBSA as the mandated implementing partner, was launched in 2023 to facilitate partnerships and private investment in the water industry.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Action met

    Actions

    WPO is established.

    Are there plans?

    To facilitate partnerships and manage joint accounts for specific funding for projects.

    Is it on the agenda?

    To support municipalities to put in place partnerships with the private sector. Also manages several priority programmes including water conservation and demand management, water reuse, wastewater treatment improvement and seawater desalination.

    Goals

    Established by the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Water Partnership Office (WPO) aims to accelerate water and sanitation infrastructure delivery across the country in line with the national water programme.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    The WPO, with the DBSA as the mandated implementing partner, was launched in 2023 to facilitate partnerships and private investment in the water industry.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    The delivery of water and sanitation infrastructure is yet to be accelerated.

    Actions

    WPO is established.

    Are there plans?

    To facilitate partnerships and manage joint accounts for specific funding for projects.

    Is it on the agenda?

    To support municipalities to put in place partnerships with the private sector. Also manages several priority programmes including water conservation and demand management, water reuse, wastewater treatment improvement and seawater desalination.

    Goals

    Established by the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Water Partnership Office (WPO) aims to accelerate water and sanitation infrastructure delivery across the country in line with the national water programme.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    The WPO, with the DBSA as the mandated implementing partner, was launched in 2023 to facilitate partnerships and private investment in the water industry.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    The delivery of water and sanitation infrastructure is yet to be accelerated.

    Actions

    WPO is established.

    Are there plans?

    To facilitate partnerships and manage joint accounts for specific funding for projects.

    Is it on the agenda?

    To support municipalities to put in place partnerships with the private sector. Also manages several priority programmes including water conservation and demand management, water reuse, wastewater treatment improvement and seawater desalination.

    Goals

    Established by the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Water Partnership Office (WPO) aims to accelerate water and sanitation infrastructure delivery across the country in line with the national water programme.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    The WPO, with the DBSA as the mandated implementing partner, was launched in 2023 to facilitate partnerships and private investment in the water industry.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    The delivery of water and sanitation infrastructure is yet to be accelerated.

    Actions

    WPO is established.

    Are there plans?

    To facilitate partnerships and manage joint accounts for specific funding for projects.

    Is it on the agenda?

    To support municipalities to put in place partnerships with the private sector. Also manages several priority programmes including water conservation and demand management, water reuse, wastewater treatment improvement and seawater desalination.

    Goals

    Established by the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Water Partnership Office (WPO) aims to accelerate water and sanitation infrastructure delivery across the country in line with the national water programme. It operates as a special-purpose vehicle to facilitate public-private partnerships, manage funding,and support municipalities in implementing water-related projects.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    To support municipalities to put in place partnerships with the private sector through standardised programmes, the Water Investment Authority operates as a special-purpose vehicle to facilitate public-private partnerships, manage funding and support municipalities (and water boards) in implementing water and sanitation-related projects. It also aims to address the challenges municipalities face, including a lack of specialised expertise in managing water supply and quality or in preparing bankable projects. Since its launch (2023), the WPO has adopted/developed six national standardised programmes specifically designed to facilitate private sector participation in municipal water and sanitation services to make it easier, quicker and cheaper for municipalities and water boards to enter into partnerships, without having to ‘reinvent the wheel’ for each partnership: 1. Water reuse programme (WRP): focuses on facilitating water reuse by treating wastewater to potable standards or for industrial and agricultural use. 2. Non-revenue water (NRW) programme: focus on reducing water that is produced and supplied but does not generate revenue because it is lost or unaccounted for before reaching the customer. 3. Water waste treatment (WWT) programme: focuses on assisting municipalities to upgrade, refurbish and rehabilitate wastewater treatment facilities. 4. Non-sewered sanitation (NSS) programme: focuses on fast-tracking and scaling up the adoption of non-sewered sanitation solutions where traditional sewer infrastructure is not feasible or available. 5. Seawater desalination programme: focuses on producing potable water independently through seawater desalination in coastal cities/municipalities. 6. Management contracts programme: focuses on enabling municipalities to contract private sector operators to manage water services efficiently, improving service delivery without a municipality having to build in-house capacity or if it lacks specialised expertise.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Progress has been noted in some programmes, including: WRP: • The programme has secured significant funding, notably from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which approved approximately R4.5bnto support climate adaptation and mitigation projects related to water reuse. • 34 municipalities have qualified and are eligible for support with GCF funding. • WPO also invited municipalities, through an expression of interest, to submit water reuse and reclamation projects for funding and support. NRW programme: • eThekwini, Tshwane, Nelson Mandela Bay, Mangaung, Buffalo City and Polokwane all requested to participate in the programme, with agreements being negotiated with municipalities. • The WPO, with support from the Infrastructure Fund, has also successfully secured funding from the Budget Facility for Infrastructure. The funding will be used to implement a performance-based contract for the eThekwini's targeted areas of Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu. WWT programme: • WPO is supporting eThekwini in developing wastewater treatment infrastructure, including projects related to the Umdloti and uMkomazi Seawater desalination programme: • Municipalities are starting to develop seawater desalination projects. These include Overstrand, Saldanha Bay and the City of Cape Town in the Western Cape, eThekwini in KZN, and Ndlambe municipality in the Eastern Cape.

    Actions

    The WPO has been formally established and has developed standardised national programmes aimed at simplifying and accelerating partnerships between municipalities and private players. It has also received funding for some of its programmes. Several initiatives are making steady progress. Two non-revenue water projects are finalising their bankable feasibility studies, paving the way for the appointment of performance-based contracts with private sector partners. In parallel, requests for proposals for two municipal water reuse projects are under evaluation, with preferred bidders set to be announced soon. The WPO is also deploying technical expertise to support the water and sanitation department and advise municipalities on reducing water leaks and improving operational performance.

    Are there plans?

    Forms part of the department's national water partnerships programme.

    Is it on the agenda?

    The WPO, with the DBSA as the mandated implementing partner, was launched in 2023 to facilitate partnerships and private investment in the water industry.

    Goals

    Established by the Department of Water and Sanitation, in partnership with DBSA and SALGA, the Water Partnership Office (WPO), a ring-fenced entity, aims to accelerate water and sanitation infrastructure delivery across the country in line with the national water partnerships programme.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    To support municipalities to put in place partnerships with the private sector through standardised programmes, the Water Investment Authority operates as a special-purpose vehicle to facilitate public-private partnerships, manage funding and support municipalities (and water boards) in implementing water and sanitation-related projects. It also aims to address the challenges municipalities face, including a lack of specialised expertise in managing water supply and quality or in preparing bankable projects. Since its launch (2023), the WPO has adopted/developed six national standardised programmes specifically designed to facilitate private sector participation in municipal water and sanitation services to make it easier, quicker and cheaper for municipalities and water boards to enter into partnerships, without having to ‘reinvent the wheel’ for each partnership: 1. Water reuse programme (WRP): focuses on facilitating water reuse by treating wastewater to potable standards or for industrial and agricultural use. 2. Non-revenue water (NRW) programme: focus on reducing water that is produced and supplied but does not generate revenue because it is lost or unaccounted for before reaching the customer. 3. Water waste treatment (WWT) programme: focuses on assisting municipalities to upgrade, refurbish and rehabilitate wastewater treatment facilities. 4. Non-sewered sanitation (NSS) programme: focuses on fast-tracking and scaling up the adoption of non-sewered sanitation solutions where traditional sewer infrastructure is not feasible or available. 5. Seawater desalination programme: focuses on producing potable water independently through seawater desalination in coastal cities/municipalities. 6. Management contracts programme: focuses on enabling municipalities to contract private sector operators to manage water services efficiently, improving service delivery without a municipality having to build in-house capacity or if it lacks specialised expertise.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Progress has been noted in some programmes, including: WRP: • The programme has secured significant funding, notably from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which approved approximately R4.5bn to support climate adaptation and mitigation projects related to water reuse. • 34 municipalities have qualified and are eligible for support with GCF funding. • WPO also invited municipalities, through an expression of interest, to submit water reuse and reclamation projects for funding and support. NRW programme: • eThekwini, Tshwane, Nelson Mandela Bay, Mangaung, Buffalo City and Polokwane all requested to participate in the programme, with agreements being negotiated with municipalities. • The WPO, with support from the Infrastructure Fund, has also successfully secured funding from the Budget Facility for Infrastructure. The funding will be used to implement a performance-based contract for the eThekwini's targeted areas of Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu. WWT programme: • WPO is supporting eThekwini in developing wastewater treatment infrastructure, including projects related to the Umdloti and uMkomazi Seawater desalination programme: • Municipalities are starting to develop seawater desalination projects. These include Overstrand, Saldanha Bay and the City of Cape Town in the Western Cape, eThekwini in KZN, and Ndlambe municipality in the Eastern Cape.

    Actions

    The WPO has been formally established and has developed standardised national programmes aimed at simplifying and accelerating partnerships between municipalities and private players. It has also received funding for some of its programmes. Several initiatives are making steady progress. Two non-revenue water projects are finalising their bankable feasibility studies, paving the way for the appointment of performance-based contracts with private sector partners. In parallel, requests for proposals for two municipal water reuse projects are under evaluation, with preferred bidders set to be announced soon. The WPO is also deploying technical expertise to support the water and sanitation department and advise municipalities on reducing water leaks and improving operational performance.

    Are there plans?

    Forms part of the department's national water partnerships programme. Preparation is advanced for the next round of projects, including non-revenue water (NRW) and water reuse programme (WRP) PPPs in eThekwini and Tshwane.

    Is it on the agenda?

    The WPO, with the DBSA as the mandated implementing partner, was launched in 2023 to facilitate partnerships and private investment in the water industry.

    Goals

    Established by the Department of Water and Sanitation, in partnership with DBSA and SALGA, the Water Partnership Office (WPO), a ring-fenced entity, aims to accelerate water and sanitation infrastructure delivery across the country in line with the national water partnerships programme.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    To support municipalities to put in place partnerships with the private sector through standardised programmes, the Water Investment Authority operates as a special-purpose vehicle to facilitate public-private partnerships, manage funding and support municipalities (and water boards) in implementing water and sanitation-related projects. It also aims to address the challenges municipalities face, including a lack of specialised expertise in managing water supply and quality or in preparing bankable projects. Since its launch (2023), the WPO has adopted/developed six national standardised programmes specifically designed to facilitate private sector participation in municipal water and sanitation services to make it easier, quicker and cheaper for municipalities and water boards to enter into partnerships, without having to ‘reinvent the wheel’ for each partnership: 1. Water reuse programme (WRP): focuses on facilitating water reuse by treating wastewater to potable standards or for industrial and agricultural use. 2. Non-revenue water (NRW) programme: focus on reducing water that is produced and supplied but does not generate revenue because it is lost or unaccounted for before reaching the customer. 3. Water waste treatment (WWT) programme: focuses on assisting municipalities to upgrade, refurbish and rehabilitate wastewater treatment facilities. 4. Non-sewered sanitation (NSS) programme: focuses on fast-tracking and scaling up the adoption of non-sewered sanitation solutions where traditional sewer infrastructure is not feasible or available. 5. Seawater desalination programme: focuses on producing potable water independently through seawater desalination in coastal cities/municipalities. 6. Management contracts programme: focuses on enabling municipalities to contract private sector operators to manage water services efficiently, improving service delivery without a municipality having to build in-house capacity or if it lacks specialised expertise.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Progress has been noted in some programmes, including: WRP: • The programme has secured significant funding, notably from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which approved approximately R4.5bn to support climate adaptation and mitigation projects related to water reuse. • 34 municipalities have qualified and are eligible for support with GCF funding. • WPO also invited municipalities, through an expression of interest, to submit water reuse and reclamation projects for funding and support. NRW programme: • eThekwini, Tshwane, Nelson Mandela Bay, Mangaung, Buffalo City and Polokwane all requested to participate in the programme, with agreements being negotiated with municipalities. • The WPO, with support from the Infrastructure Fund, has also successfully secured funding from the Budget Facility for Infrastructure. The funding will be used to implement a performance-based contract for the eThekwini's targeted areas of Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu. WWT programme: • WPO is supporting eThekwini in developing wastewater treatment infrastructure, including projects related to the Umdloti and uMkomazi Seawater desalination programme: • Municipalities are starting to develop seawater desalination projects. These include Overstrand, Saldanha Bay and the City of Cape Town in the Western Cape, eThekwini in KZN, and Ndlambe municipality in the Eastern Cape.

    Actions

    The WPO has been formally established and has developed standardised national programmes aimed at simplifying and accelerating partnerships between municipalities and private players. It has also received funding for some of its programmes. Several initiatives are making steady progress. Two non-revenue water projects are finalising their bankable feasibility studies, paving the way for the appointment of performance-based contracts with private sector partners. In parallel, requests for proposals for two municipal water reuse projects are under evaluation, with preferred bidders set to be announced soon. The WPO is also deploying technical expertise to support the water and sanitation department and advise municipalities on reducing water leaks and improving operational performance.

    Are there plans?

    Forms part of the department's national water partnerships programme. Preparation is advanced for the next round of projects, including non-revenue water (NRW) and water reuse programme (WRP) PPPs in eThekwini and Tshwane.

    Is it on the agenda?

    The WPO, with the DBSA as the mandated implementing partner, was launched in 2023 to facilitate partnerships and private investment in the water industry.

    Goals

    Established by the Department of Water and Sanitation, in partnership with DBSA and SALGA, the Water Partnership Office (WPO), a ring-fenced entity, aims to accelerate water and sanitation infrastructure delivery across the country in line with the national water partnerships programme.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    To support municipalities to put in place partnerships with the private sector through standardised programmes, the Water Investment Authority operates as a special-purpose vehicle to facilitate public-private partnerships, manage funding and support municipalities (and water boards) in implementing water and sanitation-related projects. It also aims to address the challenges municipalities face, including a lack of specialised expertise in managing water supply and quality or in preparing bankable projects. Since its launch (2023), the WPO has adopted/developed six national standardised programmes specifically designed to facilitate private sector participation in municipal water and sanitation services to make it easier, quicker and cheaper for municipalities and water boards to enter into partnerships, without having to ‘reinvent the wheel’ for each partnership: 1. Water reuse programme (WRP): focuses on facilitating water reuse by treating wastewater to potable standards or for industrial and agricultural use. 2. Non-revenue water (NRW) programme: focus on reducing water that is produced and supplied but does not generate revenue because it is lost or unaccounted for before reaching the customer. 3. Water waste treatment (WWT) programme: focuses on assisting municipalities to upgrade, refurbish and rehabilitate wastewater treatment facilities. 4. Non-sewered sanitation (NSS) programme: focuses on fast-tracking and scaling up the adoption of non-sewered sanitation solutions where traditional sewer infrastructure is not feasible or available. 5. Seawater desalination programme: focuses on producing potable water independently through seawater desalination in coastal cities/municipalities. 6. Management contracts programme: focuses on enabling municipalities to contract private sector operators to manage water services efficiently, improving service delivery without a municipality having to build in-house capacity or if it lacks specialised expertise.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Progress has been noted in some programmes, including: WRP: • The programme has secured significant funding, notably from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which approved approximately R4.5bn to support climate adaptation and mitigation projects related to water reuse. • 34 municipalities have qualified and are eligible for support with GCF funding. • WPO also invited municipalities, through an expression of interest, to submit water reuse and reclamation projects for funding and support. NRW programme: • eThekwini, Tshwane, Nelson Mandela Bay, Mangaung, Buffalo City and Polokwane all requested to participate in the programme, with agreements being negotiated with municipalities. • The WPO, with support from the Infrastructure Fund, has also successfully secured funding from the Budget Facility for Infrastructure. The funding will be used to implement a performance-based contract for the eThekwini's targeted areas of Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu. WWT programme: • WPO is supporting eThekwini in developing wastewater treatment infrastructure, including projects related to the Umdloti and uMkomazi Seawater desalination programme: • Municipalities are starting to develop seawater desalination projects. These include Overstrand, Saldanha Bay and the City of Cape Town in the Western Cape, eThekwini in KZN, and Ndlambe municipality in the Eastern Cape.

    Actions

    The WPO has been formally established and has developed standardised national programmes aimed at simplifying and accelerating partnerships between municipalities and private players. It has also received funding for some of its programmes. Several initiatives are making steady progress. Two non-revenue water projects are finalising their bankable feasibility studies, paving the way for the appointment of performance-based contracts with private sector partners. In parallel, requests for proposals for two municipal water reuse projects are under evaluation, with preferred bidders set to be announced soon. The WPO is also deploying technical expertise to support the water and sanitation department and advise municipalities on reducing water leaks and improving operational performance.

    Are there plans?

    Forms part of the department's national water partnerships programme. Preparation is advanced for the next round of projects, including non-revenue water (NRW) and water reuse programme (WRP) PPPs in eThekwini and Tshwane.

    Is it on the agenda?

    The WPO, with the DBSA as the mandated implementing partner, was launched in 2023 to facilitate partnerships and private investment in the water industry.

    Goals

    Established by the Department of Water and Sanitation, in partnership with DBSA and SALGA, the Water Partnership Office (WPO), a ring-fenced entity, aims to accelerate water and sanitation infrastructure delivery across the country in line with the national water partnerships programme.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Analyst: Thabani Madlala
    Status: in-progress
    Last Updated:
    Next Update:
    Got an Update? Follow this reform
    Reform Area:
    Reform:

      If you would like to alert our analysts to an update you are aware of in this particular reform area, please complete the form below and submit it to us. Please ensure you include links to any press releases or other documents to confirm the reforms and provide detail to allow our analysts to assess the changes. Our team will review it.