Water management tools as a means of averting a possible water scarcity in South Africa by the year 2025

Abstract

South Africa, currently categorised as water stressed country is forecasted to experience physical water scarcity by the year 2025 with an annual freshwater availability of less that 1 000 m3 per capita. With the trends in population growth and its attributes and
continuous pollution of the available water sources, there is bound to be increased pressure on the available water probably resulting in increased conflict over its allocation and a further stress on this resource leading to scarcity. Most countries in the world including South Africa have developed most of their water resources with very little scope for further expansion. This study attempted to establish possible solutions to this scenario. Possible solutions would be as follows. First is the demand management of the water
through developing and or improving existing systems that improve water use efficiency in the various demand sectors thereby increasing access to more users and uses for a given volume of water. Second is identifying and developing alternative supply systems suitable for the various demand sectors in order to augment the conventional supply volumes. Third is the application of feasible, special management techniques to improve water quality to appropriate standards for particular uses in areas where natural poor quality water occurs. Fourth is the reallocation of some water from low benefit uses to higher benefit uses. Fifth is the possibility of water transfer from surplus areas to deficit area. A water management tool/model suitable for the various sectors of demand and suitable areas of application in each sector is envisaged as the output of this study. If found to be practicable, and eventually utilised, this model will have the potential to increase the water availability for the various sectors and avert possible conflicts in water allocation. The impact of this economically, socially and environmentally in South Africa and possible application in other water stressed countries with similar conditions will be significant.

Water SA Vol. 30 (5) 2005: pp.120-124