As South Africa observes National Water Week 2026 from 16 to 20 March, the call for “Water For All” takes on renewed urgency. This annual campaign, spearheaded by the Department of Water and Sanitation, aims to educate the public on their responsibility to protect and conserve our limited water resources. However, while National Water Week celebrates the importance of freshwater, recent data highlights a stark reality: for many urban residents, the promise of a reliable tap remains unfulfilled.

 

The Growing Problem: A Crisis of Unreliable Service

While access to water infrastructure has expanded over the last two decades, reliability has become the new frontier of the water crisis. According to the StatsSA 2024 General Household Survey, the supply function is in steady decline.

• • One-fifth of metro households (21.6%) now report water interruptions lasting at least two days.
  • Severe reliability gaps exist between cities: Nelson Mandela Bay faces the highest interruption rate at 40.3%, while Cape Town maintains the lowest at 6.9%.
  • When municipal systems fail, nearly 28.9% of households are forced to rely on water tankers or vendors, a situation that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable.

 

The Solution: Shifting from Expansion to Excellence

The roadmap to solving these delivery failures was clearly identified in the 2016 State of Water in Cities report. The findings suggest that simply laying more pipes is no longer enough; we must focus on strategic investment and maintenance to ensure long-term resilience.

 

To bridge the gap between the 2024 reality and the 2030 goal of safe water for all, cities must prioritise three key areas:

1. 1. Prioritise Maintenance Over Simple Expansion: Urgent renewal of ageing networks is essential to prevent service failures before they happen. Many systems built decades ago are no longer able to meet modern demands.
   2. Close the Infrastructure Investment Gap: Increased capital expenditure is required to keep pace with rapid urbanisation and the deterioration of systems. Currently, investment in water infrastructure is considered inadequate and declining.
   3. Build Specialised Local Technical Capacity: Managing complex urban water cycles requires robust financial and technical skills at the local level. Cities that attract and retain these skills are better equipped to deliver treated water and manage wastewater effectively.

 

A New Frontier: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)

While technical infrastructure is vital, the path to water security also requires looking beyond “grey” engineering to Nature-based Solutions (NbS). As defined by the United Nations, NbS are actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore ecosystems to address societal challenges effectively.

 

In South Africa, the 2016 State of Water in Cities report highlighted that many urban freshwater ecosystems are in poor condition due to rapid expansion and poor land management. For example, in eThekwini and Msunduzi, wetland degradation has compromised the natural ability of these systems to treat water and regulate flooding. Similarly, the deteriorating condition of the Blekbokspruit Ramsar site in Ekurhuleni illustrates the urgent need for NbS to protect ecosystems of international importance.

 

By integrating NbS into urban planning, cities can reduce their reliance on expensive “grey” infrastructure and build long-term water security to:

• • Mitigate climate risks: NbS projects can reduce significant global emissions and help financial institutions manage risks arising from nature loss.
  • Improve water quality: Healthy ecosystems naturally filter pollutants, reducing the rising costs of chemical water treatment.
  • Enhance long-term supply: Protecting groundwater resources and natural catchments ensures that the primary sources of our water remain viable as demand grows.

 

A Call to Action for 2026

National Water Week 2026 is a reminder that water security is a shared responsibility. While the government must address the lagging maintenance and investment gaps, we must also prioritise the health of the natural ecosystems that provide our water.

 

By aligning the strategic solutions proposed in the 2016 State of Water in Cities Report with the current service delivery challenges identified in 2024 StatsSA General Household Survey and the innovative potential of Nature-based Solutions, South Africa can move toward a future where “Water For All” is not just a theme, but a reliable, daily reality.

 

#NationalWaterWeek #ACityTellsAStory

 

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