Quest for water security continues

THE government is seized with its commitment to achieve the National Development Plan Vision 2030 imperatives, which are supported by the overall strategic objectives of eradicating poverty, reducing inequality and addressing unemployment.

This ultimate vision is the government’s effort to improve the living standards and restoring the dignity of the people of South Africa. However, there is one important objective that the country is still grappling with, and that is water security.

The UN-Water describes water security as “the capacity of a population to safeguard sustainable access to adequate quantities of acceptable quality water for sustaining livelihoods, human well-being, and socio-economic development, for ensuring protection against water-borne pollution and water-related disasters, and for preserving ecosystems in a climate of peace and political stability”.

In simple terms, it means water is at the centre of economic and social development. Water is vital to maintain health, grow food, generate energy, manage the environment and create jobs.

According to the National Planning Commission, water security has always been an issue of concern in South Africa but, in recent times, it is under serious threat. It is for this reason that the commission developed the national water security framework (NWSF), which aims to investigate the extent of this threat and the actions required to mitigate the threat.

Despite South Africa’s good policies and legislation on water, there are still water challenges due to an acknowledged backlog in water infrastructure, insufficient maintenance and investment, inequities in access to water, and deteriorating water quality as well as climate change.

It is for this reason that the NWSF will bring a fresh and objective look at challenges facing the water sector and also for continuous evaluation and interventions.

The Department of Water and Sanitation, through its national water and sanitation master plan launched by Minister Lindiwe Sisulu in November 2019, is enjoined to bring solutions for a water secure country.

The master plan will also work to ensure affordable and reliable access to sufficient and safe water and hygienic sanitation for socio-economic growth and well-being, with due regard to the environment.

South Africa is facing increasing water demands due to its rapidly growing population, changing lifestyles, and economic growth. At the same time, climate change is also a contributing factor that brings extreme drought, and more intense flash floods as recently experienced in some parts of the country as a result of Tropical Storm Eloise.

The issues of water security in the country do not only affect the water sector but also have far-reaching implications as they affect growth and development of all sectors of South Africa’s socio-economic activities. However, the Department of Water and Sanitation as the lead institution in the water sector is determined to achieving the NDP vision of a water secure future despite water challenges facing the country in the 21st century.

To achieve water security, all water users in all sectors of municipal, agricultural, mining and industrial sectors must use water more efficiently. SANKU TSUNKE | Communicator at the Department of Water and Sanitation