Mchunu was replying to a written question by the member of the Freedom Front Plus, Michal Groenewald, about the progress made by municipalities whose waste water plants are in a critical condition of dysfunction.

These municipalities were instructed to submit turnaround plans within 60 days, after the publication of the Green Drop Report. Mchunu's reply stated that only 13 municipalities liaised with the department within the specified time, while 77 did not comply with the instruction given.

In a statement, Groenewald further explains that the critical condition of dysfunction at the 90 municipalities' water treatment plants was highlighted in the Green Drop report. Based on the report, the Department gave each municipality sixty days to submit turn-around strategies aimed at resolving the problem. As 77 did not comply with the instruction given, Mchunu did not make mention of if any action will be taken against them.

“The main objective is to address the serious problems relating to water pollution and the growing shortage of potable water,” he added.

According to the Mchunu's reply, only six of the thirteen municipalities that responded actually submitted plans, while the other seven either asked for more time or for departmental support.

The six are as follows:

• Joe Morolong Local Municipality

• Ndlambe Local Municipality

• Koukamma Local Municipality

• Hessequa Local Municipality

• Alfren Nzo District Municipality

• Langeberg Local Municipality

The two that requested and were granted additional time to develop action plans are:

• Emthanjeni Local Municipality

• Dipaleseng Local Municipality

The five that did not provide action plans but requested support from the department include:

• Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality

• Siyancuma Local Municipality

• Zululand District Municipality

• Khai Ma Local Municipality

• Blue Crane Local Municipality

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