SAAWU - South African Association of Water Utilities

About SAAWU

The South African Association of Water Utilities is a Section 21 Company (organization not for gain) that evolved from what was previously the South African Association of Water Boards. The ongoing changes in the business environment of the water services sector and the challenges created by the massive backlogs for service delivery, created the need for the establishment of a formal institutional structure to represent, promote and co-ordinate the interests of all public sector institutions involved in the provision of water services. SAAWU was formally established in March 2001

Core Business Activity

The main business of SAAWU is to promote the interests of water boards and other public sector water utilities in South Africa and to ensure effective integration and co-operation within the water sector

The primary aim, and therefore the central focus and main ethos of SAAWU are:
- PRIMARY-AIMS

TO build a united association of public sector water utilities which co-ordinates, mobilizes and uses its collective capacity to optimize the ability of municipal authorities to provide sustainable, efficient and affordable water services to all the people of South Africa.

TO improve the quality of life of all South Africans by ensuring that they have access to sustainable, equitable and affordable water services.

TO proactively promote and represent the individual and collective (mandated) interests of SAAWU members in all matters that impact on the water sector.

TO provide a centre of information and communication on water and sanitation matters.

Vision

“To enhance public service delivery and provide value-added services to water sector”

Mission

“To promote the interests of public sector water utilities and to ensure effective integration and cooperation within the water sector”

Key Focus Area

SAAWU identified the following key Focus Areas aimed at mitigating the identified challenges;

To assist in addressing challenges facing members and the sector at large.
To strengthen the internal capacity of SAAWU in terms of governance.
To make SAAWU financially sustainable and operationally viable.
To improve relations with members, DWA, Government and its agents.
To establish and maintain an information centre for the water sector, to educate and empower members, government and the public on water issues through seminars, courses and publications.
To influence policy and direction of the water sector through engagement with relevant stake holders.

Background

SAAWU is set up to represent, promote, integrate and coordinate the interests of all public sector institutions which are involved in the;