A Future Outlook: Improved Water Efficiency and Possible Strategic Actions for South Africa and the Upper Vaal WMA

Abstract

Water scarcity or stress can be accompanied with social, environmental and economic implications. Water related risks have increased and have become significant in all spheres due to South Africa’s water-stressed nature. However, even though water scarcity has been the most reported risk, very few sectors or organisations have measurable water use targets and a huge variability in the nature and ambition of targets are present. This in turn indicates a lack of urgency in terms of water related targets. A clear understanding of the real potential for reducing water losses is needed before measures are adopted or implemented to avoid costly and ineffective demand management strategies. Various water efficiency measures are available and can possibly be implemented and adopted by the various sectors within the country to promote proper water conservation and water demand management practices. These water efficiency measures however need to be both cost effective and enforced by relevant departments for the country and region to ultimately benefit from implementing water conservation and water demand management measures, targets and structures. Focus is placed on improved water efficiency measures within different sectors as well as possible strategic actions which will be necessary for improved water conservation and water demand management in the country and WMA.