In South Africa, alongside the right to sufficient food, health care and social security, the Constitution guarantees access to 'sufficient water'. This guarantee is translated by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) into specific water regulations which form part of the Basic Services Policy adopted in 2001. These regulations set a minimum standard of 25 potable litres of water per person per day available within 200 metres of every household.
The South African Census, conducted in 2011, along with 2019 Quantec data, indicates whether residents of the MLM have been afforded the right to clean drinking water and to what extent water accessibility has improved over time.
Residents of the MLM have more secure access to drinking water than in the Lejweleputswa DM and Free State Province, while being on par with the rest of the country. In 2019, 56% of MLM households have a water tap in their home, compared to 49% of those in the Lejweleputswa DM and 46% of households in Free State. This represents an increase of 8% since 2009, owing to the development of water infrastructure in the municipality.
Access to sufficient water is a right as enshrined in the Constitution. However, it cannot be said that this right is realised if the quality of that water poses health risks for human consumption. This is the basis from which the incentive-based regulation Blue Drop (BD) Certification Programme was developed in 2008. The BD allows service providers to manage and regulate water quality management according to standards and legislation.
Matjhabeng has a BD of 93%, which is higher than the average municipality rating. Compared to the wider region, only Maluti-A-Phofung LM has a higher BD of 98%, due to the pristine mountain water sources. As seen in Map 10, the average households with piped water inside their houses, in the wider region is approximately 50%, while 41% of the households have at least one running tap on their property. In comparison, the MLM households have above average access to water, although Metsimaholo LM has 17% greater access to piped water than the MLM, indicating that the economic position of Metsimaholo LM households is currently greater.