Latest news with #waterinvestment
The Independent
19-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Government unveils bold plan to clean our polluted rivers
Environment Secretary Steve Reed is set to pledge a halving of sewage pollution from water companies by 2030, aiming for Britain's cleanest rivers on record. The plan includes a £104bn investment to rebuild crumbling sewage pipes, introduce strict new rules, and overhaul the regulation of water companies. This commitment precedes the publication of the Independent Water Commission's landmark review into the water sector, expected on Monday. The pledge addresses public outrage over record sewage spills and rising bills, with serious pollution incidents by water firms increasing by 60 per cent in 2024. Further measures include banning bonuses for water company executives, increasing funding for the Environment Agency, and working towards a ban on plastic-containing wet wipes.
Washington Post
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Texas asks voters to approve billions to avoid future water shortages
Lawmakers in the Lone Star state will ask voters to make a Texas-sized investment in the state's water future, as part of a push to stave off looming shortages in one of the fastest-growing corners of the nation. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on Wednesday afternoon is slated to sign into law a central piece of a legislative package aimed at helping Texas tap into new sources of water over the coming decades, as well as to invest in flood mitigation, conservation and repairs and upgrades to aging infrastructure in many communities.
Zawya
09-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo calls for bold investment to Secure Southern Africa's Water Future
The Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr. Sello Seitlholo, has called for intensified investment in the water sector to secure Southern Africa's future in the face of climate change and growing water demands. Speaking at the ORASECOM Climate Resilient Investment Conference in Maseru, Lesotho on Thursday, 08 May 2025, Deputy Minister Seitlholo highlighted that resilient water infrastructure and cross-border collaboration are critical to the region's economic development, environmental sustainability, and long-term water security. As a proud and committed member of the Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM), South Africa continues to champion regional cooperation for the sustainable and equitable management of shared water resources. Deputy Minister Seitlholo reaffirmed the country's support for the Commission, noting South Africa's role as host country and consistent contributor to its operations and basin-wide studies. 'Water is the foundation upon which our economies, communities, and ecosystems rest. In Southern Africa, it also binds us together across borders. Our shared future demands that we invest boldly and wisely in securing this most precious resource,' he said. South Africa is undertaking major reforms to create an enabling environment for water investment. Deputy Minister Seitlholo said that these include legislative amendments to strengthen water governance, reduce inefficiencies, and attract private-sector involvement through improved regulatory certainty and streamlined project processes. He pointed to multiple opportunities for investors, ranging from bulk infrastructure and wastewater treatment to innovative technologies in reuse and smart metering. Public-private partnerships are being pursued with urgency, including through the Water Partnership Office in collaboration with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). 'Investing in water is not just a necessity; it is a generational imperative. Our policy reforms, institutional innovation, and partnerships demonstrate that we are ready to work with all stakeholders to make water investment a success story,' he emphasised. The Deputy Minister highlighted sustainability, technological advancement, and climate adaptation as key pillars of the country's water strategy. He emphasised the need for robust risk management to address droughts, floods, and pollution, backed by government funding instruments such as the Water Services Infrastructure Grant and the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant made available by the Department of Water and Sanitation. Deputy Minister Seitlholo stressed that communities must be at the heart of water solutions. South Africa's water governance model prioritises public participation and inclusive development, particularly through forums supporting youth, women, and civil society engagement. Partnerships with NGOs, research institutions, and the private sector continue to drive innovation and ensure evidence-based planning. In closing, Deputy Minister Seitlholo reaffirmed South Africa's unwavering commitment to regional leadership and global engagement in the water sector. He announced that South Africa will proudly host the Africa Water Investment Summit in August, a strategic platform aimed at unlocking large-scale investment and galvanising multi-sector partnerships for water infrastructure development across the continent. Furthermore, as South Africa has assumed the G20 Presidency, the Deputy Minister committed that water financing will be elevated as a key agenda item, positioning water not merely as a development issue but as a central pillar of economic resilience, climate adaptation, and sustainable growth. 'South Africa stands ready to lead by example, mobilising political will, catalysing investment, and fostering cross-border cooperation to build a water-secure future for Africa and beyond,' he affirmed. 'Let us seize this moment to mobilise the partnerships, political will, and financing needed to ensure a climate-resilient and water-secure future for our region. What we decide today must shape a legacy of inclusive growth and sustainable prosperity for generations to come,' concluded Deputy Minister Seitlholo. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Water and Sanitation, Republic of South Africa.
