Water security and South Africa

Abstract

In this chapter, we will give an overview of water security in the South African context. To do this we will discuss a number of issues pertaining to water security in terms of elements that are ‘good’, ‘bad’ and ‘ugly’ found within and outside South Africa influencing water security. These issues include South Africans’ ability to cope with water scarcity through the construction of water infrastructure projects like large dams and extensive irrigation projects. This hydro-ingenuity started in the late 19th century and was influenced by government observers wanting to put agriculture on a sustainable footing. That South Africa’s water security woes can still be ameliorated in this way is part of the dominant water resource management discourse. Another issue that has gained traction over the past couple of years is that of ecosystem services and their ability to provide water resources for socio-economic development. We briefly discuss this matter and how ecosystem services are under threat. We then discuss water access and use, followed by the link between legislation and water security, and government initiatives to get waste water treatment and water purification plants back on track through the Green and Blue Drop Programmes, respectively. Water for growth and development as a topic is next on the list before looking into the future risks the country could face in achieving water security. As part of this we consider climate change and how it could impact on water security followed by urban migration and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Finally we end with a discussion on adaptation and resilience and how what we know of water management need to change in order for South African to create sustainable water sensitive cities, able to adapt to change.