Editing Water supply and sanitation in South Africa (section)

===Water Services Act of 1997===
In 1994 the government published its first [[White Paper]] on Water and Sanitation Policy, which led to the Water Services Act of 1997.<ref name="WSA">Republic of South Africa, Department of Water Affairs:[http://www.dwaf.gov.za/Documents/Legislature/a108-97.pdf Water Services Act of 1997]. Retrieved 27 September 2009.</ref>

The Act calls for higher cost recovery, which proved a challenge due to widespread poverty and a culture of non-payment for water in many [[Township (South Africa)|Townships]], as a remnant of protests against Apartheid. Higher [[water tariff]]s and rigorous cut-offs for non-payment, or flow reductions through the installation of "tricklers" that allow only a very limited flow of water, imposed hardships on the poorest.

The Act also modified the role of Water Boards, providing a clear legal definition of the functions of Water Boards and municipalities. Water Boards have historically been the only bulk water providers. Municipalities were obliged to buy water through them. The Act allowed municipalities to develop their own bulk water supply infrastructure or to buy bulk water from providers other than Water Boards. Conversely it also allowed Water Boards to provide retail water services at the request of municipalities.<ref>2002 White Paper</ref> Since the Act has been passed the capacity of both Water Boards and many water service providers has increased significantly.