The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is embarking on a structured roll-out of a series of frameworks to strengthen the capacity of water service authorities (WSAs) to comply with regulatory requirements, improve the quality of retail water tariff proposals and enhance institutional performance monitoring across the water services sector.

These include the Retail Water Tariff Proposal Framework, the Draft Implementation Guidelines for Section 10: Norms and Standards for Water Services Tariffs and the revised Institutional Performance Assessment Programme (IPAP) to WSAs and relevant stakeholders.

WSAs will be provided with practical guidance on the requirements, processes and information needed to prepare, submit, assess and implement water service tariff proposals in line with the applicable regulatory framework.

According to the DWS, in a statement on Monday, attention will be given to the application of Section 10 requirements, including the preparation of tariff proposals, revenue requirements, cost-of-supply information, tariff structures, affordability considerations, stakeholder consultation, supporting documentation, approval processes and reporting requirements.

The introduction of the revised IPAP, which replaces the previous Regulatory Performance Management System, is intended to strengthen the assessment, monitoring and reporting of institutional performance within the water services sector.

“Through the roll-out, WSAs will be introduced to the revised assessment approach, performance indicators, assessment criteria, evidence and information requirements, reporting processes and institutional responsibilities,” the DWS explained.

The programme will further promote alignment between institutional performance assessment and the implementation of applicable water services legislation, regulations, norms and standards, policies and other regulatory requirements.

Key areas of focus will include water services planning, financial sustainability, tariff setting, revenue management, service delivery, water conservation and water demand management, governance, compliance and overall institutional performance.

“The roll-out will serve as a structured transitional programme to support the practical implementation of the Retail Water Tariff Proposal Framework, the Draft Section 10 Implementation Guidelines and the revised IPAP.”

It will also provide an opportunity for DWS to engage with WSAs on implementation challenges and obtain feedback that can strengthen the finalisation and implementation of these instruments.