Kou-Kamma Municipality Faces Water Crisis Amid Infrastructure Deficits

Kou-Kamma Local Municipality is facing severe challenges regarding its water and sanitation infrastructure. The municipality stated it requires R210-million to upgrade and maintain these systems. In the settlement of Misgund, residents are experiencing severe shortages, sometimes going without water for days, with supply limited to about an hour or two a day. Furthermore, tap water quality issues were noted, with it meeting basic drinking standards only half the time last year, and 0% compliance on taste, colour, and disinfectant levels.

The issues highlight a significant strain on the local service delivery capacity of the municipality. The problems affect a small rural community of about 500 households in the Langkloof region. The issues are compounded by the fact that the National Treasury exercises financial control over the municipality.