Page 26 - Landscape-Issue159

GREEN INDUSTRY FEATURE

CALLS FOR WATER REUSE TO BECOME

A CORNERSTONE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S

WATER RESILIENCE

orld Water Day, established by the United Nations
in 1993, focuses global attention on the importance
Wof sustainable water management. In South Africa,
where climate volatility, ageing infrastructure and financial
strain are placing increasing pressure on water infrastructure,
the day serves as a reminder that business as usual is no longer
sufficient.
World Water Day was observed on 22 March, and Zutari, an
infrastructure, engineering and advisory practice, called for
water reuse to shift from being viewed as an emergency drought
intervention to becoming a mainstream, long-term component of
South Africa’s water mix.
Mpho Ramphao, MD: Water at Zutari, said the country must
fundamentally rethink how it manages wastewater. “Droughts,
floods and variable rainfall will keep disrupting traditional surface
and groundwater supplies, while water infrastructure is ageing
faster than it is being upgraded and replaced. Reuse transforms
wastewater from an undesirable waste into a dependable, locally
controlled resource factory if wastewater treatment plants are run
to the required effluent discharge standard,” he explains. Perception versus scientific reality
Public resistance to reuse remains a factor, but Ramphao stresses
Institutional barriers, not technology, are the that it is largely perception-driven. “Much of the resistance to water
primary constraint reuse is driven by perception rather than science. Public concern
According to Ramphao, the main barriers to water reuse stem is shaped by visible failures at wastewater treatment plants and
from poorly maintained wastewater treatment plants rather than low trust in local service delivery, leading to the assumption that
technology. “Ageing infrastructure, inconsistent plant operations reuse means drinking sewage.”
and governance gaps at municipal level make regulators cautious In reality, potable reuse requires treatment standards that
about approving reuse schemes.” are often higher than those applied to conventional surface
He notes that responsibilities remain fragmented between or borehole water sources. “There are multiple safety barriers,
national government, which sets policy and regulation, and local continuous online monitoring and verification steps to intercept
government, which is responsible for basic service delivery. This failures before water reaches consumers,” he explains.
fragmentation slows decision-making and blurs accountability.
Chronic under-collection of water revenue further limits Industry and agriculture: critical partners in scaling
maintenance and upgrades. reuse
Industrial water reuse, including zero-liquid-discharge approaches
where viable, is increasingly important in relieving pressure on
municipal systems. “By investing in reuse, industries can secure
climate-resilient supplies while reducing demand on potable
water networks,” says Ramphao.
Municipal effluent reuse also presents a major opportunity to
support industry and agriculture, strengthening food security
through a non-rainfall-dependent supply. Ramphao emphasises
that fundamentals must first be addressed, such as upgrading
ageing wastewater treatment works, improving operational skills,
ensuring stable energy supply, and securing sustainable revenue
collection.
From acknowledgement to delivery
While national strategies recognise the need for adaptation and
resilience, Ramphao believes stronger integration is required.
“South Africa still lacks a unified water resilience strategy that
embeds reuse in its long-term planning,” he says.
For Zutari, success would mean reuse becoming routine rather
than reactive. It would mean water reuse functioning as a trusted
part of South Africa’s water mix rather than a crisis intervention.
Ramphao says that both potable and non-potable reuse
schemes must operate with rigorous safety checks and transparent
reporting. “Because the stakes are higher than conventional
treatment, visible performance is critical.”
Zutari urges South Africa to seize the opportunity to embed
water reuse at the heart of a climate-resilient water strategy.
https://www.zutari.com

24 Landscape SA • Issue 159 2025 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za