SALGA collaborates with the Japanese Water Works Association

Posted: 27 November 2020

On Friday 27 November 2020, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the Japanese Water Works Association (JWWA), held an introductory meeting to set the stage for future collaborative projects in the areas of water delivery and treatment systems.

Held on a digital platform due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, a SALGA delegation led by Xolile George, SALGA CEO, met with representatives from the JWWA to participate in discussions about the exchange of knowledge for improving the practice, elevating the standards and advancing the cause of safe and clean water.

“We are quite excited as SALGA to enter into this partnership and reinforce the positive work that the Japanese Water Works Association is already doing with SALGA. We look forward to activating the parameters of the partnership as shared today,” said George.

A delegation from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also formed part of the meeting.

The meeting also acts as a precursor to three seminars scheduled for early next year. The seminars aim to share research and knowledge about improving drinking water supply systems and solving common problems in the sector.

“Today we have taken a very important first step for our future in the water sector in South Africa and Japan. Today we have confirmed that we all join the seminars. There are two main objectives of the seminars. First is mutual learning for problem solving, and second is strengthening networks between two countries in the water sector,” said Tomohiro Seki from JICA.