South Africa’s Water Availability and Use

Abstract

Unhindered water use has grown globally at twice the rate of population growth in the twentieth century and has caused some regions to be no longer able to deliver reliable water services. Water scarcity within South Africa is a reality and the continued demographic pressure, rate of economic development, high rates of urbanization and pollution will put unprecedented pressure on the country’s water resources. It is estimated that the country’s total requirements for water use will double over the next 30 years. Major industrial development and urban settlement have taken place in regions where water resources are not readily available and have resulted in substantial potential impacts on the quality of water in the country which is already limited in terms of supply. South Africa is currently facing a multi-faceted water crisis. The mismatch between water supply and water demand, the theft of water resources, a deteriorating infrastructure, the loss of essential skills, a strangling educational pipeline, demand management failure, as well as deterioration in the quality of the water, are all potential threats and key concerns that could lead to the fact that the country is experiencing a water crisis. Focus is placed on both the country’s and Upper Vaal WMA water availability and in conclusion the influence of the main water use sectors on the country’s limited water supply in terms of water abstraction and water losses.