Securing South Africa’s water future requires disciplined implementation, diversified supply and stronger financial governance, says financial services provider Investec Sustainable Solutions technical adviser De Wet Taljaard.

He suggests that the renewal of water infrastructure is already under way, with a pipeline of publicly funded projects worth about R94-billion in development. These projects include the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 2; the uMkhomazi water project; the proposed Ntabelanga dam, which forms part of the Mzimvubu water project; the Clanwilliam dam raising; and upgrades to the Tzaneen, Hazelmere and Klipfontein dams.

However, while these projects are imperative for improving water infrastructure and supply, there are priority solutions that should be considered to ameliorate the country’s water situation.

“The country must accelerate planned and ongoing dam raisings and bulk transfer schemes, reduce nonrevenue water, improve transparency and performance at water treatment operations, and create and implement better financing models,” says Taljaard.

“Financing models must evolve by aligning existing grants, such as the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant, the Water Services Infrastructure Grant and Municipal Infrastructure Grant, with infrastructure fund mechanisms and standardised public– private partnership (PPP) frameworks to accelerate project delivery.”

He also proposes the creation of a national “water bank account”, whereby enhanced balance-sheet resilience will help water authorities to prioritise the realisation of improved inflows, reduced outflows and bulking up water reserves.

Regarding the reduction of outflows, Taljaard calls for the implementation of performance-based nonrevenue reduction contracts for utilities, which would compel them to enhance pressure management, leak detection and metering integrity, enabling a prompt reduction in nonrevenue water, which is currently 47%.

Further, South Africa must improve the inflow of water by diversifying supply. This can be achieved by scaling water reuse methods, creating desalination plants in coastal regions, implementing greywater systems and expanding groundwater use while ensuring effective monitoring and controlled aquifer recharge.

“The country must grow reserves and optimise operations to better withstand drought cycles,” he adds.

Investec is playing an active role in supporting interventions initiated by water industry stakeholders, including providing financing for alternative water systems, improving plant efficiency, establishing on- site modular treatment systems for internal reuse, and desalination and/or stormwater harvesting in coastal areas.

Going forward, Taljaard suggests that accountability, collaboration and discipline are required from government, the private sector, professional water bodies and key grant instruments.

“Accountability means that national government works to ensure that water infrastructure is in good, working condition, so that municipalities are in a position [to] . . . carry out efficient water service delivery.”

More structured approaches are also required, and a focus on measurable outcomes could be advanced using standardised PPP models through the Water Partnerships Office, supplemented by the revival of the Blue, Green and No-Drop scorecards.

“Collaboration is equally critical. Aligning key grant instruments and leveraging blended finance instruments can crowd in development finance institutions and private capital,” he adds.

South Africa can still act to secure the country’s water supply to facilitate public health, social stability and economic growth, especially since its raw water supply remains stable, despite the fragility of municipal systems and financial strain.

“The country has demonstrated through its response to the energy crisis that coordinated national action can resolve seemingly insurmountable challenges. Applying a similar focused, accountable and implementation-driven approach to water could stabilise municipal systems and secure long-term supply,” Taljaard concludes.