Why Digitisation is Key to Rescue SA’s Water Infrastructure

South Africa’s water system is in trouble. In the 2020/21 financial year alone, there were over 55,800 pipe bursts, over a third of reservoirs have supply problems, and years of underfunding of infrastructure replacement and maintenance have drastically reduced the lifespan of around a quarter of the country’s asset base.

If there’s one lesson we can take from South Africa’s electricity crisis, it’s that we can’t wait until it’s too late before we act. And yet, it nearly is too late. By 2025, South Africa is expected to experience water scarcity. By 2030, a water deficit.

With the rapid increase in urbanisation and the rising demand for our water infrastructure, we don’t have the luxury of time. There’s a sense of urgency that we must jump on now, starting with what we do have: political will and data.

Political Will

The National Treasury’s Infrastructure Delivery Management System (IDMS) sets out systematic processes for delivering and maintaining infrastructure in the public sector. It’s a thorough document that outlines the government’s strategy to enhance socio-economic growth and development through improved infrastructure delivery and unity in action. Continue reading

Image: Prime Media