The blog has just returned from visiting South Africa – what an amazing country but with huge challenges and a startling divide between the rich and poor. Water is a big issue. Still about 20% of the population struggles to obtain clean water despite some parts of the country being extremely affluent. Elections are forthcoming and in riots over water supplies to a township, one protestor was shot dead by the police. This was an isolated incident but is indicative of the huge social problems lack of water and sanitation cause.
Water charging based on volume is established but a majority of the population struggle to afford the cost. It was clear insufficient investment is occurring and progress in improving water supply and sanitation appears to have stalled.
