Water
Water is a critical natural resource and essential input across multiple sectors of the African economy, including agriculture, mining, manufacturing and municipal services. As an industry term, water encompasses the management, treatment, distribution and regulation of freshwater resources for commercial, industrial and domestic use. In South Africa, water is a constitutionally protected resource, with the National Water Act establishing that water belongs to all people and must be managed sustainably for present and future generations. The country faces significant water stress owing to limited rainfall, high evaporation rates, ageing infrastructure and growing demand from urban centres and industry. Major water-consuming sectors include irrigated agriculture, which accounts for about 60% of national water use, and mining, which requires substantial volumes for mineral processing and dust suppression. Water management in South Africa is overseen by the Department of Water and Sanitation, with regulatory functions including licensing, quality monitoring and infrastructure planning. Key challenges include deteriorating water and wastewater treatment works, non-revenue water losses through leaks and illegal connections, and the need for investment in bulk water supply schemes and desalination capacity. Climate variability and recurring drought cycles have heightened focus on water security, demand management and alternative sources such as groundwater, water reuse and rainwater harvesting. The water sector also intersects with energy policy, as water treatment and pumping are energy-intensive, while hydropower and cooling systems for thermal power stations depend on reliable water supply.
Water Updates
BRICS Bank lends South Africa $1bn for cities, report says
By: Bloomberg 17th June 2026 New Development Bank is lending South Africa $1-billion for the State to upgrade infrastructure in its eight biggest cities, Business Day reported.... →
AfriForum heads to court to halt Johannesburg Metro’s unlawful water levy
12th June 2026 The City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality’s continued refusal to explain or justify its controversial 65,6% increase in the water demand... →
Motion of desirability on the National Water Amendment Bill adopted by Water and Sanitation committee
2nd June 2026 The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation has adopted the motion of desirability on the National Water Amendment Bill, paving the way for the... →
ActionSA Commends the Progress Made on Stabilising Water Network in Tshwane
24th April 2026 ActionSA commends progress made by the current administration under ActionSA Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya on stabilising the water network in the City of... →
ConCourt ruling does not diminish SAHRC’s constitutional importance
By: Thabi Shomolekae 23rd April 2026 Despite the Constitutional Court ruling that the South African Human Rights Commission cannot issue binding directives, the Court stressed that its... →
DA concerned over tariff increases in Polokwane without proper cost analysis
7th April 2026 The DA in Polokwane Local Municipality has raised concerns regarding the proposed tariff increases as submitted to Council in the Draft Budget for... →
SA: Velenkosini Hlabisa: Address by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, at the engagement session with Mayors of Metropolitan Municipalities in South Africa, Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre (20/03/2026)
20th March 2026 Given that metropolitan municipalities house 62% of the nation’s population and generate over two-thirds of the GDP, it is imperative to recognise... →
Water Under Fire: Supporting Lebanon’s Water Services Amid Escalating Conflict
20th March 2026 Lebanon faces yet another devastating war, and the country’s already overstretched institutions are struggling to maintain the essential services... →
R54bn performance-based grant launched to support metro infrastructure delivery 
By: Terence Creamer 19th March 2026 The National Treasury has officially launched a R54-billion performance-based grant in a bid to increase investments in water, sanitation,... →
Collaborative approach needed to solve South Africa’s water challenges
By: Natasha Odendaal 12th March 2026 South Africa cannot take the same path to resolve its water challenges as it did with the energy sector during the period of loadshedding, as the... →
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