All fall down - Existing assets abandoned in race to meet targets

Abstract

ASSET MANAGEMENT I t is well known that some municipalities do not prioritise operation and maintenance, especially of ‘unglamorous’ infrastructure such as sewage treatment works, but, until recently the extent of the problem was not very well known. Last year, the Department of Water Affairs & Forestry (DWAF) launched an investigation into the asset management situation in order to provide guidance to Water Services Agencies (WSAs). An initial study by CSIR into the status of water services infrastructure asset management among these authorities while, pointing out that there are municipalities (especially large metros) that do all they can to keep infrastructure working, the general picture is not a pretty one. Research shows that insufficient attention is being paid by the majority of South Africa WSAs to the ongoing commitments that they have incurred to manage their infrastructure. In addition, many authorities have, due to years of neglect, built up a backlog of need in respect of maintenance and also refurbishment, renewal and replacement.

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