The water, energy, food nexus: A catalyst for equitable growth and resilient futures

The interdependence of water, energy, and food systems is fundamental to our ability to secure essential services, stimulate economic growth, and safeguard vulnerable communities. This nexus holds particular significance for South Africa and the broader Global South, where water scarcity, energy instability, and food insecurity are not only prevalent but deeply interconnected, each problem intensifying the others.

According to the United Nations, the relationship between water resources and climate change is critical, “Extreme weather events are making water more scarce, more unpredictable, more polluted - or all three.” 

Unreliable power sources disrupt the sanitation process to such an extent that untreated sewage flows into water bodies, increasing the cost of water purification for bulk service providers. Water pollution severely impacts human health and can even be fatal. It can lead to the contamination of drinking water, which contributes to waterborne illnesses. Additionally, water pollution affects ecosystems, leading to phenomena like eutrophication. Toxic elements dissolved in water can also enter the human food chain through fish and other aquatic organisms.

The persistent failure of municipalities to adequately maintain and expand their energy and water infrastructure is creating a multifaceted crisis that threatens the very foundation of water, energy, and food security throughout South Africa. This critical neglect not only jeopardises the availability and quality of these essential resources but also undermines the right to water, a fundamental human right enshrined in the South African Constitution.

As urban centres like Johannesburg grapple with soaring populations and increasing demand, the strained infrastructure leads to severe water shortages, with communities experiencing days without reliable access to water. This distressing reality is further compounded by inconsistent energy supply, which disrupts daily life and economic activities.

Agricultural productivity declines as farmers struggle with unreliable irrigation, threatening food security and driving up prices for consumers. Vulnerable communities, particularly those already dealing with socio-economic disadvantages, bear the brunt of these challenges, intensifying existing inequalities and forestalling opportunities for growth and development. Considering this pressing situation, local governments must prioritise substantial investments in infrastructure development and maintenance. By doing so, they can ensure equitable access to these vital resources for all citizens, safeguard their constitutional rights, and pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.

This scenario underscores the urgent need for action as these challenges become more pronounced and irreversible. 

2. Energy, Water & Food: The Equitable Impacts  

Energy Shortages Multiply Water Risk 

The frequent occurrence of intermittent electricity supply severely disrupts water delivery systems, leading to inefficiencies and failures in public health and agricultural performance. Numerous studies have confirmed that power outages at crucial water pumps and treatment facilities degrade service quality, jeopardising public health, agricultural yields, disrupting economic activity and overall environmental quality.

Food Production Depends on Both Water and Energy

Agriculture is the largest consumer of water, utilising over 70% of South Africa's freshwater resources. Studies examining the food-energy-water nexus across Africa reveal that employing efficient irrigation technologies, such as solar-powered drip irrigation, can significantly increase agricultural yields. These advancements not only enhance income and improve nutrition but also bolster climate resilience by adapting to changing environmental conditions.

Jobs and Poverty Alleviation 

The convergence of the water-energy-food nexus is a powerful driver of local economies. For instance, pumped-storage hydropower schemes implemented in Southern Africa offer reliable base-load power and ensure a stable irrigation water supply. These initiatives also create crucial job opportunities in technical and maintenance roles, benefiting rural communities economically. Additionally, various solar water pump programs across Africa have successfully provided thousands of jobs while ensuring climate-resilient access to water resources, contributing to poverty alleviation and sustainable development. 

In summary, addressing the interconnected challenges of water, energy, and food systems is essential for fostering equitable growth and building resilient futures for all communities. Through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions, we can harness the potential of the nexus to create sustainable pathways for development.

3. Global South Case Studies: Evidence in Action

Morocco’s Integrated Approach 

Morocco adopts an innovative and comprehensive strategy that integrates desalination plants, dam reservoirs, agricultural policies, and a vast 1,400 km renewable energy pipeline. This holistic approach prioritises the allocation of desalinated water specifically for urban centres while optimising the water available from dam reserves for agricultural purposes. By linking water, energy, and food policies, Morocco achieves significant improvements in resource management and sustainability, creating a transformative impact on both urban and rural communities (reuters.com).

Senegal’s Mamelles Plant  

The Mamelles desalination facility in Senegal represents a €200 million investment in infrastructure that taps into a diverse energy mix, enabling it to generate up to 100,000 cubic meters of freshwater each day for the bustling city of Dakar. This state-of-the-art facility not only addresses critical urban water scarcity, but it also fosters economic stability by providing steady job opportunities for residents in its operation and maintenance (en.wikipedia.org).

Namibia’s Rural Solar Plant 

In Namibia, the Bethanie brackish groundwater plant showcases a pioneering effort in renewable energy deployment by operating entirely on solar power. By supplying 100% of the water needs for a rural town, it has effectively replaced traditional diesel pumps, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact. Moreover, this initiative has created local maintenance jobs, empowering community members and enhancing their skills in sustainable technologies (en.wikipedia.org).

African Solar-Pump Initiatives 

Under the leadership of Innovation: Africa, a series of impactful initiatives have introduced solar-powered pumping systems that deliver an impressive 30 000 litres of water per day to villages, serving populations of up to 10,000 people each. Beyond merely providing water, these projects include comprehensive training programs for residents to facilitate the installation and maintenance of these systems, ensuring the development of essential skills within the community and fostering local self-sufficiency (en.wikipedia.org).

4. Reforming Policy for the Nexus Era  

Despite the proven success of these initiatives, South Africa - and a significant portion of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region - continues to grapple with systemic challenges stemming from fragmented governance structures:

- Various ministries tend to operate in silos, leading to inefficiencies; for example, the energy sector remains heavily reliant on coal, while the water sector is hindered by inconsistent electricity supply. Additionally, persistent agricultural practices have not been updated to meet the realities of climate change and resource scarcity.

- The lack of energy efficiency as a key performance indicator (KPI) within water utilities hampers progress; many facilities lack the necessary metered data that would inform strategies for enhancing operational efficiency and resource conservation.

- Policies governing agriculture often neglect the intertwined costs associated with water and energy, putting the food sector at risk amid ongoing drought conditions and frequent power outages.

Recommendations from the Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa (Awsisa):  

- Nexus-Aligned Infrastructure Planning: Implement mandatory impact assessments that evaluate the interconnected consequences for water, energy, and food systems for all major infrastructure projects.

- Integrated Budgeting and Policy Platforms: Promote collaboration between water, energy, and agriculture departments to co-design investments and regulatory frameworks that ensure cohesive strategies across sectors.

- Energy-Efficient Water Systems: Create incentives for utilities to adopt advanced pump optimisation technologies, which can yield energy savings of up to 40% and reduce operational costs.

- Resilient Energy Mix: Advocate for the implementation of diverse energy solutions, such as pumped-storage systems (like those in Ingula and Drakensberg) and renewable energy-supported water treatment processes, explore hydropower projects with more vigour, along with innovative solar irrigation models.

- Participatory Local Models: Encourage the development of community-managed hybrid water systems that utilise both solar and diesel power, fostering local enterprise development and embedding skills within the community to enhance long-term resilience and independence.

5. Awsisa’s Commitment & Call to Action

Awsisa is taking significant strides towards a sustainable future:

- We are excited to announce a dedicated Nexus stream at our Dialogue taking place from November 9–12, 2025. This event will spotlight innovative integrated solutions and promote youth enterprise initiatives that harness the potential of the water-energy-food nexus for sustainable development.

 - In our efforts to enhance the capabilities of utilities, we will explore the development of comprehensive guidebooks and provide targeted capacity-building programs focused on nexus performance metrics. These resources will equip utilities with the necessary tools to track and improve their performance across water, energy, and food systems.

- Our commitment extends to cross-sector advocacy, to embed nexus principles into critical areas such as financing, urban planning, and rural development. By fostering collaboration among sectors, we can create a more integrated approach to resource management.

We invite the following stakeholders to join us in this transformative journey:

- Governments are encouraged to pilot nexus-aligned "water-energy-food zones" in vulnerable districts, creating resilient communities that optimise resource use while addressing local challenges.

- Utilities and municipalities are called upon to invest in advanced metering systems and pursue energy-water efficiency initiatives that will not only reduce costs but also enhance service delivery and sustainability.

- The private sector and financiers are urged to support scalable, community-led water-energy ventures. Investment in such initiatives can drive economic opportunities and empower rural communities to take charge of their resources.

- Academics and researchers have an essential role in continuously evaluating and refining nexus approaches. Their insights can inform evidence-based policies and practices that foster sustainable development.

Conclusion: A Transformative Opportunity

The water–energy–food nexus transcends its role as merely an analytical tool; it represents a vital pathway towards climate resilience, equitable service delivery, economic opportunities, and dignified livelihoods. Without effective integration of these systems, we risk collapse under mounting pressures, leading to spiralling costs that place an undue burden on society. Intermittent power supply is not just an energy crisis; it also poses serious threats to water security, public health, economic growth, and food availability.

This opinion piece is intended as a call to action: let us dismantle the silos separating our sectors, build robust cross-sectoral infrastructure, and empower our communities to thrive. Every litre of water, every kilowatt of energy, and every hectare of land must be valued and utilised to their fullest potential.

For constructive debates, strategic partnerships, and collective action, join AWSISA in shaping a resilient future based on the principles of the nexus.

 Ramateu Monyokolo,Chairperson of Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa (AWSISA) and Rand Water

*** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL.

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