Water Wheel July/Aug 2023: Opinion

Abstract

Where have all the experts gone? – adequate resources required to manage SA’s complex systems It is estimated that groundwater constitutes 13% of South Africa’s water supply. This seems like a relatively small amount compared to the supply from surface water resources. However, this ‘mere’ 13% provides water to 56% of the population, either as a sole source or combined with surface water. That is just over 34 million people within 23 746 settlements (78.5% of all settlements in the country). Groundwater is a strategic water resource to meet the water security needs for more than half the South African population. On average, groundwater is underutilised in South Africa with considerable opportunity for expansion. Expanding the use of groundwater can help communities and the State build resilience to the impacts of climate change and other drivers of water demand, such as urbanisation, population growth, industrialisation, and agricultural expansion. In South Africa, groundwater is mainly found in complex geological formations and is typically a local resource.

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