Creamer Media’s ‘Water 2024/5: Averting a crisis’ report delves into the critical state of South Africa's water sector, challenged by ageing infrastructure, municipal debt, and declining water quality, as reflected in the latest Blue and Green Drop reports. It explores key developments, such as the establishment of the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency and amendments to water legislation, while addressing the growing impacts of climate change, population growth, and poor maintenance on the country’s water systems.
The report also examines ongoing efforts to address these challenges, including water infrastructure projects, such as the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, as well as maintenance programmes, and innovations such as biological solutions for invasive plants. Also discussed are the roles of public–private partnerships and regulatory advancements in driving improved water efficiency, governance, and resource management.
Looking ahead, the report emphasises the need for urgent collaboration among stakeholders to secure South Africa's water future. It notes the need for increased investment, structural reforms, and decisive action to ensure equitable access to water and sanitation services to prevent a crisis on the scale of that in the country’s electricity sector.
This report is a summary of information published in Engineering News and Mining Weekly, as well as of information available in the public domain over the past 12 months. The report does not purport to provide analysis of market trends.
The information in this report is correct as of November 1, 2024.