South Africa’s water infrastructure is crumbling, and with reservoirs shrinking and demand set to outstrip supply by 17% within five years, the nation faces a looming catastrophe.

Dr Andrew Dickson, an engineering executive at Johannesburg-based CBi-electric: low voltage, is calling for an urgent pivot to smart technologies to avert disaster, as municipalities like Gauteng and eThekwini grapple with restrictions and curtailments that signal a broader systemic failure.

The crisis is no longer a distant threat. Earlier this year, IOL reported that “South Africa is facing an imminent water crisis that is quickly rearing its ugly head,” a sentiment underscored by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s January declaration of a national emergency.

For nearly two decades, the country has battled not just power cuts but severe water shortages, exacerbated by climate-driven droughts, aging infrastructure, and mismanagement.

This yearJohannesburg’s economic hub enduring water cuts lasting up to 86 hours, while Cape Town - once teetering on the edge of “Day Zero” seven years ago - continues to ration dwindling reserves with a long hot bath still not on the cards for most due to escalating water prices.

Dickson, whose company has supplied electrical solutions across South Africa for 75 years, sees a clear path forward.

"Without clear data, we’re guessing the extent of the problem. Smart tech delivers real-time insights to identify inefficiencies and predict future demand,” Dickson said.

He advocates for IoT-powered smart meters to track and monitor water usage with precision, a solution he believes could transform a faltering system. “By leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics, municipalities can transform this data into accurate demand forecasts, optimise available supply, and proactively plan for potential shortages.”

South Africa’s water woes are starkly illustrated by its consumption habits. The Institute for Security Studies found that South Africans use 234 liters per person daily - 36% above the global average - a figure Dickson says is unsustainable. Gauteng, the nation’s industrial heartland, loses one in four liters supplied by Rand Water to leaks, a hemorrhage that smart tech could staunch.

“Smart meters detect leaks or unusual usage spikes in real time, helping to reduce water wastage,” he said. “Speedy leak identification and repair safeguards revenue, conserves supply and stabilises the network. Given Gauteng’s high water losses, adopting this technology could be a game-changer.”

The benefits extend beyond leak detection. “These technologies also pick up patterns and performance trends, enabling predictive maintenance to prevent equipment failures, costly repairs, and service disruptions,” Dickson explained.

“At the same time, proactive interventions extend the lifespan of infrastructure, ensuring long-term efficiency.” He points to Australia, where smart tech slashed monthly peak demand by 10% and deferred A$100 million (R1.15 billion) in infrastructure costs for four years -—a model South Africa could emulate as 29% of its water systems teeter in critical condition.

Consumer behavior is another target. “South Africans consuming an average of 235 litres water per person per day - 36% more than the global average - smart meters can influence consumer behaviour,” Dickson said.

“By providing detailed consumption data for activities like flushing a toilet or running a dishwasher, customers can see the direct impact of their actions.” He cites the Western Cape drought, where smart meters and behavioral shifts cut water use by 15%-26% across 105 schools, saving 380 kiloliters per school.

Cost remains a hurdle. “While the upfront investment is high, the long-term returns ensure water security,” Dickson argues. “The revenue lost to leaks alone could offset the cost of smart infrastructure in the short term. Minimising losses ensures a more stable financial base, enabling investment in infrastructure and maintenance which is crucial given that 29% of the country’s water systems are in critical condition.”

With South Africa’s energy crisis complicating matters, he acknowledges the challenge, but maintains that there are solutions at hand.

“Critical systems, like pump stations, are already equipped with backup power. And while we can live without electricity, we cannot survive without clean water - that must be our priority,” Dickson said.

Budget 2025 earmarks water infrastructure funding

However, a better future could be at hand.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in the 2025 Budget highlighted the importance of improving the country's water resources.

He said, tabling the speech, "The water quality regulatory system was reinstated for the first time since 2014. This is the Green Drop, Blue Drop and No Drop certification that enables effective intervention in supporting failing municipalities to provide clean water to citizens."

National Treasury has also allocated R156.3bn to water and sanitation infrastructure.

In the water sector, the Budget Review stated that the focus remains on improving municipal water services andpromoting private-sector participation.

Efforts are under way to introduce an independent economic regulator to ensure fair pricing and sustainable management of water services.

"The municipal turnaround strategy focuses on addressing critical maintenance backlogs, ensuring skilled personnel are in place and fast-tracking infrastructure investments to stabilise service delivery. A recent report on water-sector investment requirements estimated that R256 billion will be required annually between 2023 and 2050, totalling R7.2 trillion, to achieve water security and access for all," the Budget Review stated.

The National Water Programme aims to address investment gaps, with initial commitments from the New Development Bank and the City of Cape Town, it said.
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