Water Wheel May/June 2024: Opinion

Abstract

What might the future hold for the water sector? (Spoiler: Climate change will likely turn the sector on its head) Hardly any sector or industry remains unchanged in the long run. The energy sector is in the midst of a widespread renewal due to the shift towards renewables, along with much greater private sector involvement, and a move towards decentralised generation. Abroad, we are seeing similar shifts in the water sector, with the adoption of non-conventional water resources. The expectation is that, soon, this will gain momentum locally as well. But there are credible indications that the water sector, globally and locally, will need to adapt and grow capacity to meet an even greater challenge in the medium term; a disruptive period for water is waiting in the wings. Looking into the future is daunting, and not an exact science; usually, we must accept that nearly all forecasts will be wrong. A business school professor once said about forecasts: “Only forecast if you must. But then, never give a date. If you are urged to give a date, then never give a number.

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