This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution. World Water Day in 2022 was celebrated under the theme: Making the invisible visible, highlighting the importance of exploring groundwater as an alternative water source. In recent years, the United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund (UNICEF) promoted several initiatives and implemented innovative financing model to alleviate this pressing issue. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is planning the construction of the Loskop Bulk Water Supply Project in Mpumalanga, South Africa. A better and more integrated understanding of water systems in their totality is required in order to manage water resources more effectively in South Africa over coming decades, against a background of increased water scarcity and decreased water quality caused mainly by climate change and urbanisation. Water scarcity is expected to affect the economic condition, the health of citizens as well as ecosystems in Africa. In South Africa, the world's 25th most populous country, demand for water is projected to exceed supply by 17% in 2030. Water Int 32(4):558570, Mwenge Kahinda J-M, Taigbenu AE, Boroto JR (2007) Domestic rainwater harvesting to improve water supply in rural South Africa. Phys Chem Earth 33(813):788799, Mwenge Kahinda J, Taigbenu AE, Boroto RJ (2010) Domestic rainwater harvesting as an adaptation measure to climate change in South Africa. As part of a collective action response to Covid-19, the SWPN, 2030 WRG, and GIZ surveyed key stakeholders and found that partners were actively responding to the crisis through established on-the-ground interventions, with extra support provided to the most vulnerable communities. These reforms are being championed by the Minister of Water and Sanitation, who has visited every water source in the country. All Rights Reserved, Department of Health's Covid-19 online resource and news portal, National Water and Sanitation Master Plan, National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency, Sector regulation, compliance and enforcement, Agriculture, land reform and rural development, Forestries, Fisheries and the Environment. Water SA 38(3):453459, Piketh SJ, Vogel C, Dunsmore S, Culwick C, Engelbrecht F, Akoon I (2014) Climate change and urban development in southern Africa: the case of Ekurhuleni Municipality (EMM) in South Africa. Google Scholar, Adams S, Braune E, Cobbing JE, Fourie F, Riemann K (2015) Critical reflections on 20 years of groundwater research development and implementation in South Africa. The Water Research Commission was established in terms of the Water Research Act of 1971. The water boards vary in size, activities, customer mix, revenue base and capacity. In 2022 the DWS commissioned the Moretele South Pipeline in the North West, a 60-km pipe which will be operated and maintained by Magalies Water and which will benefit the villages in the Moretele Local Municipality, including Carousel View, Dertig, Bosplaas, Mathibestad, and Makapanstad. Remedies for water scarcity are observed on a local, national, and international scale. The authority plays an important role in providing: financial advisory services such as structuring and raising project finance, managing debt and setting tariffs; project implementation services; and other technical support to the department and water boards. more than twice that of South Asia (1.2%) and Latin America (0.9%). This is particularly true of regions with small water resource management systems. It is a major concern that the provision of reliable supply water is showing signs of decline, he says. The agency plays a key role in the use, protection and development of water resources in the InkomatiUsuthu water management area, and aims to ensure that water is used and managed to support equitable and sustainable socio-economic transformation and development. The organisations business activities include raw (untreated), clarified (partially treated) and purified water supply; disposal of industrial and domestic waste water and scientific services. For more information, visit www.dws.gov.za, Copyright 2023 Government of South Africa. By mid-2022, about 14% of the budget had been spent and the project is due to start delivering water to Gauteng in November 2027. These trade-offs can cause tension and conflict among water users. GreenCape, Cape Town, 61pp, Hobbs PJ (2017) TDS load contribution from acid mine drainage to Hartbeespoort Dam, South Africa. Water SA 39(2):335339, Jonker L (2007) Integrated water resources management: the theorypraxisnexus, a South African perspective. Water Altern 6(2):239245, Schreiner GO, van Ballegooyen RC, Osman W (2014) Seawater desalination as an option to alleviate water scarcity in South Africa: the need for a strategic approach to planning and environmental decision-making. A new approach was introduced when the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority was set up in 1986 to help implement the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, a partnership between Lesotho and South Africa. This will reduce your electricity bill too. million for the construction of water supply systems in the Eswatinis cities of Siphofaneni, Somntongo, and Matsanjeni. Moreover, withdrawals are forecast to increase in all three sectors (agricultural, industrial and municipal). On the positive side one should, however, take into account that many more households were provided with water in 2021 than two decades earlier. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94974-1_10, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-6125-0, https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/06/south-africa-cape-town-drought-economic-impact.html, https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2017/20160153, https://www.fin24.com/Economy/drought-impact-on-w-cape-economy-worse-than-anticipated-minister-20180301, Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout. The Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency was established in 2004 in terms of the National Water Act of 1998. It initially serviced the Free State Goldfields and parts of the former Western Transvaal. Not all droughts are the same: here's what's different about them. Rand Water was established in terms of the Water Services Act of 1997 and is mandated to supply quality bulk potable water within its area of supply. Their management is best undertaken by public organisations since risks are just too high for private operators which would have to charge to store water for reliability as well as to supply it. MW was established in 1980 and predominantly operates in the uMkhanyakude, King Cetshwayo and Zululand district municipalities but has plans to expand beyond these districts. The Africa Water Vision for 2025 is thus designed to avoid the disastrous consequences of these threats and lead to a future where the full potential of Africa's water resources can be readily unleashed to stimulate and sustain growth in the region's economic development and social well-being. Available from https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/06/south-africa-cape-town-drought-economic-impact.html. Indeed, the latter region has a decent levels of physical water, mainly thanks to the abundant, though highly seasonal and unevenly distributed supply of rainwater. The projects coordinated through the SWPN have led to the implementation of multiple successful programs. Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative, Over 10 million scientific documents at your fingertips, Not logged in All Rights Reserved, Department of Health's Covid-19 online resource and news portal, Highlights of the State of the Nation Address 2022 - Water. In this case, there is not enough water available in physical terms. Cities such as Bamako in Mali and Yaounde in Cameroon have experience explosive growth. promoted several initiatives and implemented innovative financing model to alleviate this pressing issue. Hydrogeol J 25:10931116, Lvite H, Sally H (2002) Linkages between productivity and equitable allocation of water. Water SA 34(6):665669, Aphane V, Vermeulen PD (2015) Acid mine drainage and its potential impact on the water resources in the Waterberg coalfield, South Africa. I thank Anne Fitchett and Gavin Snow for their very careful and detailed reviews of this chapter. Freshwater is a strategic natural resource in any region of the world, and this is especially true for the Sub-Saharan Africa region. The agency will then implement the agreed strategy. Lake Turkana is the worlds largest desert lake, while Lake Malawi hosts the richest freshwater fish fauna in the world, home to a staggering 14% of the worlds freshwater fish species. These plants demand the merging of scientific and engineering skills to ensure that we have the capability to treat used water to acceptable water quality standards, which allows the reuse of the precious resource. The poor system has made diarrhoeal diseases life-threatening and in many cases even fatal. After years of unhappy experiences with public organisations that fail to achieve their goals, why is government proposing to establish a new one the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency? South Africa receives a mean annual rainfall of 490 mm, about half of the global average rainfall of 814 mm (WWF-SA 2016). Inhis State of the Nation Address for 2022, Preisdent Cyril Ramaphosa said that water is the countrys most precious natural resource. The problem of water scarcity in Africa is not only a pressing one but it is also getting worse day by day. Several governments are also taking steps to tackle water scarcity across the continent. In recent years, the, United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund (UNICEF). The new arrangement will also ensure that funds are properly applied. Water SA 43(4):626637, Huizenga JM, Silberbauer M, Dennis R, Dennis I (2013) An inorganic water chemistry dataset (19722011) of rivers, dams and lakes in South Africa. Agric Water Manag 187:122130, Turton A, Schultz C, Buckle H, Kgomongoe M, Malungani T, Drackner M (2006) Gold, scorched earth and water: the hydropolitics of Johannesburg. The target is to clear the backlog of applications by June 2022 and to process 80% of all applications within 90 days during the next financial year. In order to understand the water resource problem currently facing business and governments around the world, a sector-level understanding of the supply and demand challenges is useful. Physical water scarcity occurs when water resources are overexploited for different uses and no longer meet the needs of the population. The water boards main role is to provide bulk potable and wastewater to water service institutions within their respective service areas. Accessed 30 Mar 2018, Sorensen JPR, Lapworth DJ, Nkhuwa DCW, Stuart ME, Goody DC, Bell RA, Chirwa M, Kabika J, Liemisa M, Chibesa M, Pedley S (2015) Emerging contaminants in urban groundwater sources in Africa. It is actively involved in schemes serving more than three million people as well as some major industrial users. Part of Springer Nature. 2030 WRG provides support to South Africas Strategic Water Partners Network (SWPN), a multi-stakeholder platform that brings companies, government, and civil society together to address the countrys most pressing water issues: improving water efficiency and reducing leakage, managing effluent and wastewater, and managing agricultural and supply-chain water. The country and its government try to solve this water insecurity problem by engineering dams and 'importing' water through inter-basin transfer schemes. The latter, however, has the highest per capita water availability while half of North African countries are characterised by absolute water scarcity. Abegunde OA, Okujeni CD, Wu C, Siad A (2016) Distribution patterns of contaminants in the Mogale Gold tailing dam: a case study from South Africa. Some water boards provide retail water and sanitation services on behalf of municipalities. Three sets of Resource Directed Measures are included in the Act to safeguard aquatic ecosystems and ensure ecologically sustainable development and use of water resources. Africa is home to some of the most unique freshwater ecosystems in the world. Water SA 38:201212, City of Cape Town (2018) Water outlook 2018 report. As reported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in 2011, arid regions of the continent mainly located in North Africa experience frequent physical water scarcity, while Sub-Saharan Africa undergoes mainly economic water scarcity. The entitys primary role is to manage water infrastructure and resources, and the sale of raw water. Springer, Cham. , 21 out of the 30 fastest-growing cities in the world in 2018 are deemed to be in Africa. Aside from generalised bad management, dry household taps are not usually the result of a shortage of raw water in the rivers. Sub-Saharan Africa states, where water ecosystems are strategic resources, are oriented towards regional conflict rather than cooperation. Source Water Protection in Africa The Human Capacity for Expansion The opportunities to improve source water protection for African cities are vast, and we can't tackle them alone. This chapter identifies the key areas in which water issues are relevant for physical and human environments in South Africa, and identifies and discusses the interlinkages between these different areas. Using a garden hose could use as much as 30 litres of water per minute. Promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific . According to a 2019 report, for this reason alone, the water body of the lake has diminished by 90% since the 1960s, with the surface area of the lake decreasing from 26,000 square kilometres in 1963 to less than 1,500 square kilometres in 2018. Water Resour Dev 22(2):313335, Tutu H, McCarthy TS, Cukrowska E (2008) The chemical characteristics of acid mine drainage with particular reference to sources, distribution and remediation: the Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa as a case study. Why we need protection. In addition, the department is implementing a R1.7 billion project to upgrade wastewater treatment works, water treatment works and water distribution networks in the Maluti-a-Phofung area. Write an article and join a growing community of more than 165,200 academics and researchers from 4,637 institutions. Local communities are taking adaptation action. The primary input to our water resources is rainfall. The largest declined was observed in Limpopo (-4,4 percentage points), Mpumalanga (-4,3 percentage points), North West (- 2,2 percentage points) and Free State (-2,0 percentage points). Water Res 72:5163, Tongwane MI, Savage MJ, Tsubo M, Moeletsi ME (2017) Seasonal variation of reference evapotranspiration and Priestley-Taylor coefficient in the eastern Free State, South Africa. Accessed 30 Mar 2018, Denby K, Movik S, Mehta L, van Koppen B (2016) The Trickle Down of IWRM: a case study of local-level realities in the Inkomati Water Management Area, South Africa. Polit Policy 43(2):239255, Schreiner B (2013) Viewpoint why has the South African national water act been so difficult to implement? S Afr J Geol 118:516, Adelana S, Xu Y, Vrbka P (2010) A conceptual model for the development and management of the Cape Flats aquifer, South Africa. Meanwhile, the population of Nigeria a country in West Africa is forecasted to double by 2050. In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, it accounts for nearly 14% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). They will benefit from the nutrients released from the shell. Resources; Team Europe Initiative and Joint Programming Tracker; . As the sector that relies on water the most, agriculture is already heavily impacted by water scarcity and the situation is expected to further deteriorate, leading to other issues such as, Not surprisingly, water shortage is an immense threat to humans health. Municipalities draw the water provided by Magalies Water through the reservoir and provide it to consumers for household use. It has three water-treatment schemes with 22 reservoirs which are strategically located across the Overberg region. Water is a multifaceted and complex resource because it has different functions in the operation of different physical environments, and the nature of interactions of water (both as individual molecules and as a bulk volume) with these environments can lead to very rapid changes in water properties such as chemistry, temperature, etc. Cities such as Bamako in Mali and Yaounde in Cameroon have experience explosive growth. Not surprisingly, water shortage is an immense threat to humans health. The rest of the water boards operate largely in the rural areas. And the roll-out of an irrigation management system in large irrigation schemes is significantly reducing water losses. If the situation doesnt improve, 700 million people worldwide could be displaced by intense water scarcity by 2030. The project will provide 23 M of water to communities in the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. The booming population will inevitably lead to more food demand, a faster rate of urbanisation and an rise in industrial activities, all of which require abundant water supply. Figure 2: The size of Lake Chad shows a massive shrinking between 1972 and 2007. In economic terms, the agriculture sector is likely to be hampered under severe water scarcity. Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo says this is due to old infrastructure, lack of operation and maintenance on water schemes, and the poor integration between housing programmes and current infrastructure development projects. South Africa battles water scarcity as it is one of the thirty driest regions in the world. Join the EO Movement Today. Farmers must ensure that they keep toxic insecticides away from water sources and streams. Booster pumping stations as well as reinforced concrete reservoirs are also constructed with the support of international actors. An estimated 45,2% of households had access to piped water in their dwellings in 2021. Renewable Water per Inhabitant (2017) Water Dependency. Figure 1: Map of physical and economic water scarcity at basin level in 2007 across the African continent. Water Research Commission, Gezina, WRC Report TT 683/16, 58pp, Bailey AK, Pitman WV (2016b) Water resources of South Africa, 2012 study (WR2012), Book of maps. Or take action and strive for a better future, As reported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, in 2011, arid regions of the continent mainly located in North Africa experience frequent physical water scarcity, while Sub-Saharan Africa undergoes mainly economic water scarcity. The water boards distribution network includes more than 3 056 kilometres of large diameter pipelines, feeding 58 strategically located service reservoirs, with customers including metropolitan municipalities, local municipalities, and mines and industries in and around Gauteng, supplying, on average, 3.7 million litres of water daily. Our semi-arid country is characterised by low rainfall, limited underground aquifers, and a reliance on significant water transfers from neighbouring nations. Government has prioritised institutional reforms in this area to ensure future water security, investment in water resources and maintenance of existing assets. Conservation or regenerative agriculture is also introduced to help infiltration and soil moisture retention through mulching and no-tillage approaches. Jasper Knight . A study published in 2021 found that severe diarrheal disease accounts for about 600,000 deaths each year in sub-Saharan Africa, with the majority being children and elderly. having access to healthcare. Environ Earth Sci 75:1365. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-6125-0, CrossRef Quality of healthcare services in many African countries is low, with only 48% African people having access to healthcare. This regions access to water, however, is constrained due to poor infrastructure, resulting in mainly economic rather than physical water scarcity. In addition, the department was implementing the R21-million Brandvlei Dam Project in the Western Cape, which involves the construction of a feeder canal which will provide an additional 33 M of water for storage in the dam, unlocking agricultural growth potential in the area. The Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency was established in terms of the National Water Act of 1998. Meanwhile, much of the country's water infrastructure is in disrepair and dam levels are dangerously low. is the condition where the demand for water exceeds supply and where available water resources are approaching or have exceeded sustainable limits. Metsi Consultants, Report No. Overexploitation is the main contributor to physical water scarcity. This analysis shows that although there is a good understanding of water systems within the physical environment (hydrological cycle) and within the human environment (water supply, treatment and management), there is a lack of understanding in two key areas. The network includes approximately 100 partners, including 12 international organizations, 37 public sector organizations, 6 financial institutions, 35 private sector partners, and 10 civil society partners. By mid-2022, the DWS was in the process of planning and implementing a range of major projects to augment national bulk water resource infrastructure. the combined loss of water through the plants process of transpiration and evaporation of water from the earths surface and drought risks in the majority of the continent still outweigh the increased rainfall in these areas. For example, the government of Namibia financed the construction of a urban wastewater management in the capital Windhoek, significantly improving the management of water resources and thus lowering the risk of water scarcity. Lake Turkana is the worlds largest desert lake, while Lake Malawi hosts the richest freshwater fish fauna in the world, home to a staggering 14% of the worlds freshwater fish species. Climate change and global warming mainly caused by an increase in human and commercial activities equally contribute to water scarcity in Africa. Groundwater is already the main source of water for large parts of our country, including the Karoo, Northern Cape and Western Cape, and parts of Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Map of physical and economic water scarcity at basin level in 2007 across the African continent. [1] As water is a limited resource, governments in the past have allocated it to specific groups. Boost this article Water scarcity can be classified into two types: physical and economic. A systematic review was conducted on the overview impacts of land use/land cover changes on water resources. Government and the mining companies will each fund about 50% of the project, which will be implemented by the transformed Lebalelo Water Users Association. Ecohydrol 7(5):12491261, Rsner T, van Schalkwyk A (2000) The environmental impact of gold mine tailings footprints in the Johannesburg region, South Africa. You Might Also Like: One Womans Mission to Fight Water Scarcity in Africa. Apart from building the outfall tunnels on the South African side, the authority raised loans to fund the construction in Lesotho and is paying them back using consumption charges paid to the Department of Water and Sanitation by bulk water users. https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2017/a0207, Knight J, Grab SW (2018) Drainage network morphometry and evolution in highland eastern Lesotho, southern Africa. Tensions also rose when then-minister Nomvula Mokonyane instructed the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority to build projects without any provision to fund them. 2018 market intelligence report. CNBC. The No Drop Program is reducing water losses in municipalities through a water-use efficiency rating system and a rewards/penalties system. As a water scarce country, South Africa ranks among 30 driest countries in the world. The unified agency will ensure that large water users such as metro municipalities, public utilities and big companies continue to fund the construction and operation of the major water systems on which they depend. Take action as a Citizen of Earth - Join the Earth Movement Today! Hydrogeol J 20(2):205226, LHDA (Kingdom of Lesotho, Lesotho Highlands Development Authority) (2002) Lesotho highlands water project. Raising money from loans releases more of governments budget funds to address social needs. Elements 7:399404, Rabe M, Maree D, Ramano R, Price G (2012) Compendium of water conservation and water demand management interventions and measures at the Municipal Level in South Africa, WRC project TT 519/12. The governments procurement and personnel processes are not designed to support specialised technical activities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), water scarcity affects 1 in 3 people in the African Region and the situation is deteriorating because of factors such as population growth and urbanisation but also climate change. Several governments are also taking steps. Kettles should not be filled to the brim but with just enough water for your needs. As for the rate of urbanisation. S Afr J Sci 113(5/6):a0207. The project is due to be completed in late 2026. Irrig Drain 61:3440, Witthser KT, Holland M, Seidel T, Knig CM (2015) Numerical modelling of mine dewatering and flooding in the Evander gold basin, South Africa. . Many opt for drought-tolerant crops instead of crops that require large amounts of water, a strategy to mitigate both water scarcity and food insecurity. Mangaung (92,0%) and Ethekwini (97,7%) recorded the lowest access amongst metros. The project is planned to be implemented over a three-year period from May 2022 to April 2025. When ingested, polluted water results in widespread, including cholera, typhoid fever, salmonellosis, other gastrointestinal viruses, and dysentery. It is vital to life, to development and to economic growth. We promise, no spam! As a report by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa found, a 1C rise in global temperatures would result in a reduction of runoff excess rainwater that flows across the lands surface by up to 10%. This project is planned to be completed by July 2025. North West learners receive bursaries in the National South African Youth Water Prize. Additionally, climate analyses could help inform the Mission's decision about how much to invest in water management programs such as Watergy. As well as building new water resource infrastructure, it will operate the existing dams and main transmission canals and pipelines that are currently run by the Department of Water and Sanitation. Roof water can also be profitably stored in tanks, for watering gardens. 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Physical water scarcity occurs when water resources are overexploited for different uses and no longer meet the needs of the population. According to estimates, in 2016, nearly 4 billion people equivalent to two-thirds of the global population experience severe water scarcity for a prolonged period of time. By donating us $100, $50 or subscribe to Boosting $10/month we can get this article and others in front of tens of thousands of specially targeted readers. STEP 2: CONVENE STAKEHOLDERS AND DEVELOP A PLAN FORWARD Nevertheless, looking out to 2050, the overall effects should be manageable. Human activities, which result in overexploitation and global warming, are the, published by the Institute for Security Studies stated that more than 60% of South Africas rivers are being overexploited and only one-third of the countrys main rivers are in good condition. Most of the countrys water comes from rainfall, but with the recorded average rainfall that is 40% less than the annual world average, the country is often affected by drought. Increased drying or flooding is expected, with the potential for strong localized effects. The SOUTH SUDAN URBAN WATER CORPORATION (SSUWC) has received financing from the Africa Development Bank hereinafter called the Bank toward the cost of the STRATEGIC WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (SWSSIP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds toward payments under the contract for CONSTRUCTION WORKS FOR THE SMALL SOLAR POWERED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS IN Since 2002, the percentage of households in Eastern Cape with access to water in the dwelling, on- or off-site increased by 14,9 percentage points and those in KwaZulu-Natal by 11,6 percentage points. Water resources South Africa's ability to achieve its socio-economic development aspirations is largely constrained by the availability of appropriate quality and sufficient water resources. Population in Sub-Saharan Africa is growing at a rate of 2.7% a year in 2020, more than twice that of South Asia (1.2%) and Latin America (0.9%). In 2002 there were still 14 million Black South Africans without . In KwaZulu-Natal, the raising of the dam wall at Hazelmere Dam to ensure long-term water supply to Ethekwini was expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2022 at a cost of approximately R800 million. Revision 22 updated 23 March 2018. Available at http://rga.revues.org/3023, Ryan S (2015) White gold and troubled waters in Southern Africa: hydropolitical policys effect on peace in Lesotho and South Africa. For example, the government of Namibia financed the construction of a urban wastewater management in the capital Windhoek, significantly improving the management of water resources and thus lowering the risk of water scarcity. To this end, the Blue Drop, Green Drop and No Drop regulatory standards are in place to improve asset management practices in municipalities. Construction was expected to be completed by October 2022. 3. The agency plays an important role in protecting, using, developing, conserving, managing and controlling water resources in a cooperative manner within the boundaries of the BreedeGouritz catchment area. In 2013, it had a total of 44.8 billion m of water available - a quarter of the capacity of the Kariba, Africa's largest dam. (2019). published in 2021 found that severe diarrheal disease accounts for about 600,000 deaths each year in sub-Saharan Africa, with the majority being children and elderly. https%3A%2F%2Fearth.org%2Fwater-scarcity-in-africa%2F. While the development of groundwater sources is a local function, the DWS plays an important monitoring and regulatory role, and was expected to finalise and publish improved regulations and guidelines for the extraction of groundwater and management of groundwater use in 2022. The problem of water scarcity has cast a shadow over the wellbeing of humans. Africa's rising population is driving demand for water and accelerating the degradation of water resources in many countries on the continent. Phys Chem Earth 32(1518):12571263, Jonker B, Abiye T (2017) Groundwater potential of the eastern Kalahari region of South Africa. Use a bucket rather than a hose to wash your car. Water Altern 9(3):473492, Dennis I, Dennis R (2012) Climate change vulnerability index for South African aquifers. There were also long delays in other critical projects while the minister sought to determine who would implement them. Africa, in particular, is facing severe water scarcity and the situation is worsening day by day. LHDA 678-F-001, 122pp, Lippmann J, Stute M, Torgersen T, Moser DP, Hall JA, Lin L, Borcsik M, Bellamy RES, Onstott TC (2003) Dating ultra-deep mine waters with noble gases and 36Cl, Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa. The purpose of establishing a CMA was to delegate water resource management to the regional or catchment level and to involve local communities, within the framework of the South Africa National Water Resource Strategy (Mwenge-Kahinda et al., 2016). S Afr J Geol 118:5570, Bailey AK, Pitman WV (2016a) Water resources of South Africa, 2012 Study (WR2012), WR2012 study executive summary. In a 2022 study conducted on behalf of the United Nations University Institute for Water Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), researchers employed indicators to quantify water security in all of Africas countries. The organisation supplies and distributes approximately four million cubic metres of water per year. This again shows that Sub-Saharan Africa and Central Africa face economic water scarcity more than physical water scarcity. Or take action and strive for a better future JOIN THE GLOBAL MOVEMENT Water scarcity can be classified into two types: physical and economic. The CMA manages water resources within its defined water management area according to its . Copyright 20102023, The Conversation US, Inc. Not all droughts are the same: here's what's different about them, National Economic Development and Labour Council. The department committed itself in June 2021 to reviving the incentive-based regulation programmes, namely the Green Drop and Blue Drop Certification programmes. A major coastal city located in South Africa's Eastern Cape province is facing a total water cutoff for about 500,000 residents, almost half its population, following a prolonged drought. Lake Chad once deemed Africas largest freshwater body and important freshwater reservoir is shrinking because of overexploitation of its water. Every time you flush the toilet, 12 litres of water is used. as well as reinforced concrete reservoirs are also constructed with the support of international actors. Despite these notable improvements, access to water actually declined in six provinces between 2002 and 2021. This type of access to water was most common in Cape Town (99,5%), Nelson Mandela Bay (99,2%), and Johannesburg (99,1%). The current Minister Water and Sanitation Lindiwe Sisulu, has said that she will take the necessary legislation to Parliament before the end of the year. Green TEI in Partnership with ASEAN/South-East Asia. Overthemedium-term period,thedepartment isexpectedtosupport32 districtmunicipalitieswithdevelopingwaterand sanitationreliabilityplans and monitoring the compliance of all water servicesauthorities with regulatory standards. Bull Eng Geol Environ 59:137148, Rousselot Y (2015) Upstream flows of water: from the Lesotho Highlands to Metropolitan South Africa. They are the failure of municipalities to do the right thing at the right time to ensure supplies. In regions in eastern and southern Africa, UNICEF is cooperating with the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and other international agencies and organisations to evaluate and implement bankable projects in a blended financing mode, particularly targeting the urban areas. Water SA 35(1):7384, Geldenhuis S, Bell FG (1998) Acid mine drainage at a coal mine in the eastern Transvaal, South Africa. The total percentage of water stored in reservoirs nationally rose from 84.6% in mid-December 2021 to 88.7% at the end of the year. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. It is responsible for financing and implementing the development of bulk raw water infrastructure and providing treasury management services to the DWS. Lastly, water shortages jeopardise ecosystems and contribute to a loss in biodiversity. Dispose of tissues, insects and other waste in the trash rather than the toilet. This contributed to a serious maintenance backlog. The weaknesses of this arrangement became obvious when the funds collected were used by the department for other purposes. A special Covid-19 newsletter was issued, providing timely information on managing the pandemic from a water perspective. This regions access to water, however, is constrained due to poor infrastructure, resulting in mainly economic rather than physical water scarcity. Water infrastructure takes many years to plan and build and needs to be structured as a multi-year operation. The Geography of South Africa pp 91101Cite as, 3 conducted on behalf of the United Nations University Institute for Water Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), researchers employed indicators to quantify water security in all of Africas countries. No actor alone has the ability to solve these challenges, but much can be achieved if water users work together to identify shared solutions and implement strategies, policies, plans, and programs. However, the department has water saving tips for you. Two learners, Onkabetse Mutloane and Tumisang Hofman from . In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, it accounts for nearly 14% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The core purpose of the NW&SMP is to provide an overall perspective of the scope of the water and sanitation business to provide a comprehensive schedule of actions needed to address present challenges, to estimate the investments required to ensure effective water resources, and water and sanitation services delivery, as well as to facilitate effective integrated investment planning, implementation of actions and evaluation of achievements. Meanwhile, the population of Nigeria a country in West Africa is forecasted to double by 2050. Over the period ahead, the department will continue to ensure the delivery of safe water and the effective management of wastewater through enforcing various regulatory measuresand strengthening itsoversight functions. They make up only 10% of the land area while . That's why we're creating a network of professionals who are trained and empowered to create new water funds in cities across the continent. Quality of healthcare services in many African countries is low, with only. The figure shows that 98,6% of households in metros had access to tap water. While the agency will help to ensure reliable bulk water supplies, it will not fix all failures at local government level. Showering can use up to 20 litres of water per minute, whereas taking a bath can use between 80 and 150 litres of water per bath. South Africa's water resources are, in global terms, scarce and extremely limited: average rainfall (450 mm per year) is well below the world average (of about 860 mm), evaporation is. If not tackled, water scarcity will disrupt and likely terminate freshwater and marine ecosystems in the continent. Source:Official Guide to South Africa 2021/22, Copyright 2023 Government of South Africa. Similarly, the DBSA contributed about 150 million to the construction of the Lomahasha Water Supply. MW is supplied by three dominant water sources namely: Mhlathuze River, Lake Mzingazi and Lake Nsezi. A 2018 report published by the Institute for Security Studies stated that more than 60% of South Africas rivers are being overexploited and only one-third of the countrys main rivers are in good condition. Population in Sub-Saharan Africa is growing. A further 29,4% accessed water on-site while 12,2% relied on communal taps and 1,9% relied on neighbours taps. Quat Int 470:417, Lapworth DJ, Nkhuwa DCW, Okotto-Okotto J, Pedley S, Stuart ME, Tijani MN, Wright J (2017) Urban groundwater quality in sub-Saharan Africa: current status and implications for water security and public health. Final report: summary of main findings for Phase 1 development. Water SA 41(1):17, Mazor E, Verhagen BT, Sellschop JPF, Jones MT, Robins NE, Hutton L, Jennings CMH (1977) Northern Kalahari groundwaters: hydrologic, isotopic and chemical studies at Orapa, Botswana. South Africa is currently overexploiting its renewable water resources. J Hydrol 34:203234, Mehta L, Alba R, Bolding A, Denby K, Derman B, Hove T, Manzungu E, Movik S, Prabhakaran P, van Koppen B (2014) The politics of IWRM in Southern Africa. Water boards are established in terms of the Water Services Act of 1997. Water use efficiency, especially in agriculture and forestry, should receive urgent attention, since these are the main consumers of this valuable resource. What can I do? School of Geography, Archaeology & Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, School of Tourism and Hospitality, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2019 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature, Knight, J. The Water Trading Entity was established in 1983 and was converted into a trading entity in terms of the Public Finance Management Act of 1999 in 2008. Phys Chem Earth 32(1518):10501057, Mwenge Kahinda J, Lillie ESB, Taigbenu AE, Taute M, Boroto RJ (2008) Developing suitability maps for rainwater harvesting in South Africa. As important, the agency will allow the systems to be efficiently run. Sedimentation, salinization, and pollution constitute the main impacts on water quality. But South Africa's water resources are fed by an irregular and unpredictable climate. In 1996, Sedibeng Water extended its operational area to North West and also the Vaal Gamagara Water Scheme in the Northern Cape. It will work with the agency to identify the best options to meet those needs. A comprehensive turnaround plan is being implemented to streamline the process for water use license applications. This is done in accordance with the requirements of waterrelated policies and legislation that are critical in delivering on peoples right to have enough food and water, growing the economy, and eradicating poverty. This report presents a national-level forecast of water . In the last 20 years, the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority has completed other important projects. Water SA 38(3):417426, DWA (Department of Water Affairs) (2013) National water resource strategy. It is the culmination of a number of water resource appraisals that have been carried out over the past four decades. Phys Chem Earth 35(1314):742751, Njinga RL, Tshivhase VM (2017) The impact of mine tailings on the Witwatersrand and the surrounding water bodies in Gauteng Province, South Africa. By 2050, climate change is likely to have an impact on water availability in most of South Africa. Int J Water Resour Dev 30(3):543558, van Rensburg LD, Botha JJ, Anderson JJ, Hensley M (2012) The nature and function of the in-field rainwater harvesting system to improve agronomic sustainability. If you prefer to bath, do not fill up the bathtub. 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