Water Scarcity and Other Significant Challenges for South Africa

2017 ◽  
pp. 119-125
Author(s):  
Anja du Plessis
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Scarcity

scholarly journals Analysis of virtual water flows associated with the trade of maize in the SADC region: importance of scale

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1967-1977 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Dabrowski ◽  
E. Masekoameng ◽  
P. J. Ashton
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Blue Water ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Water Flows ◽  
Use Efficiency

Abstract. The concept of virtual water encourages a country to view agricultural crops in terms of the amount of water required to produce those crops, with a view to implementing trading policies that promote the saving of scarce water resources. Recently, increased attention has focussed on partitioning the virtual water content of crops into green and blue water (derived from rainfall and irrigation, respectively) as the latter has higher opportunity costs associated with its use and therefore impacts directly on scarcity. Maize is the most important crop traded within the SADC region. South Africa is the largest producer and exporter of maize, with the majority of its exports destined for other SADC countries. In comparison to other SADC countries, South Africa produces maize relatively efficiently, with a low virtual water content and a high green (868 m3 t−1) to blue (117 m3 t−1) water ratio. The blue water content is however higher than for maize produced in all other SADC countries, with the exception of Namibia (211 m3 t−1). Current trade patterns therefore result in a net expenditure of blue water (66×106 m3), almost all of which is exported by South Africa (65×106 m3). South Africa is one of the most water scarce countries in the region and analysis of virtual water flows indicates that current SADC maize trading patterns are influenced by national productivity as opposed to water scarcity. The virtual water content of maize was estimated for each of South Africa's nineteen Water Management Area's (WMA) and used as a proxy to represent water use efficiency for maize production. The virtual water content varied widely across all of the WMAs, ranging from 360 m3 t−1 in the Ustutu Mhlatuze to 1000 m3 t−1 in the Limpopo. A comparison of the virtual water content and production of maize (expressed as a percentage of the total national production) identified those WMAs where maize production is highly water inefficient (e.g. Lower Orange and Limpopo WMAs). Results suggest that, while a national estimate of the virtual water content of a crop may indicate a relatively efficient use of water, an analysis of the virtual water content at smaller scales can reveal inefficient use of water for the same crop. Therefore, analysis of the virtual water content of crops and trading of agricultural products at different spatial scales (i.e. regional, national and WMA) could be an important consideration within the context of water allocation, water use efficiency and alleviation of water scarcity.

scholarly journals Shape of a water crisis: practitioner perspectives on urban water scarcity and ‘Day Zero’ in South Africa

Water Policy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-210
Author(s):  
Zachary Bischoff-Mattson ◽  
Gillian Maree ◽  
Coleen Vogel ◽  
Amanda Lynch ◽  
David Olivier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Critical Problems ◽  
Active Debate ◽  
Sound Policy

Abstract The interruption of essential water services in Cape Town, foreshadowed as ‘Day Zero,’ is one of several recent examples of urban water scarcity connected to the language of urgent climate change. Johannesburg, with its larger and growing population and deeply enmeshed water and power infrastructures, is currently regarded as one drought away from disaster. As a result, the lessons to be learned from Cape Town are under active debate in South Africa. We used Q method to examine the structure of perspectives on urban water scarcity among South African water management practitioners. Our results illustrate distinct viewpoints differentiated by focus on corruption and politics, supply and demand systems, and social justice concerns as well as a distinct cohort of pragmatic optimists. Our analysis underscores the significance of public trust and institutional effectiveness, regardless of otherwise sound policy or infrastructure tools. As practitioners explicitly connect domains of competency to solvable and critical problems, integrated systems approaches will require deliberate interventions. Furthermore, urban water crises exacerbate and are exacerbated by existing experiences of racial and economic inequality, but this effect is masked by focus on demand management of average per capita water consumption and characterization of water scarcity as ‘the new normal.’

scholarly journals Agricultural resilience under increasing water security threats: insights for smallholder farming in Limpopo Province, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 849-862
Author(s):  
Simbarashe Kativhu ◽  
Marizvikuru M. Mwale ◽  
Jethro Zuwarimwe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Environmental Water ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Vision 2030 ◽  
Zero Hunger ◽  
Agricultural Resilience

Abstract Smallholder farmers in South Africa are facing increased pressure to manage water use due to growing scarcity and environmental water demand. This prompts the need to build resilient irrigation systems particularly for smallholder farmers. Building resilience is more pertinent in Limpopo province, where crop and animal production is hampered by water scarcity. Currently, there is an array of generic adaptation strategies for attaining resilient irrigation schemes in South Africa and beyond. However, the effectiveness and feasibility of these resilience measures at farm level, particularly among smallholders in marginalised areas, are not well researched in Limpopo Province. The current paper draws lessons from adaptation mechanisms in Southern Africa, indicates areas that require further studies and recommends ways for enhancing smallholder resilience against water scarcity. The article contributes to efforts for enhancing water security and fulfil the targets set in sustainable development goal 2 of zero hunger, South Africa Vision 2030, and the government's food security mandate, particularly through suggesting ways for enhancing smallholder farmer resilience and water security.

Addressing Water Scarcity in South Africa through the Use of LID

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. N. Fisher-Jeffes ◽  
N. P. Armitage ◽  
K. Carden ◽  
K. Winter ◽  
J. Okedi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Scarcity

scholarly journals Persistent Droughts and Water Scarcity: Households’ Perceptions and Practices in Makhanda, South Africa

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 593
Author(s):  
Avela Pamla ◽  
Gladman Thondhlana ◽  
Sheunesu Ruwanza
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Conservation Practices ◽  
Household Surveys ◽  
Municipal Planning ◽  
Municipal Authority ◽  
Water Use Practices

Households in many cities worldwide consume substantial amounts of water, but increasing aridity will result in serious water supply challenges in the future. In South Africa, droughts are now a common phenomenon, with severe implications on water supply for urban households. Developing interventions to minimise the impacts of drought requires understanding of users’ perceptions of water scarcity, water use practices, and participation in water conservation practices. Using household surveys across different income groups (low, medium, and high) in Makhanda, South Africa, this study investigates households’ perceptions of water scarcity, water use, and conservation practices as a basis for designing pathways for sustainable water use practices. Results indicate that a substantial proportion of households were aware of water scarcity and attributed it to poor municipal planning rather than drought and wasteful use practices. Households reported good water use behaviour, but wasteful practices (e.g., regular flushing of toilets) were evident. Gender, age, education, and environmental awareness influenced water use practices, but the relationships were generally weak. Households participated in water conservation measures but felt the local municipal authority lagged in addressing water supply challenges. The implications of the study are discussed.

scholarly journals Analysis of virtual water flows associated with the trade of maize in the SADC region: importance of scale

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 2727-2757 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Dabrowski ◽  
E. Masekoameng ◽  
P. J. Ashton
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Blue Water ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Water Flows ◽  
Use Efficiency

Abstract. The concept of virtual water encourages a country to view agricultural crops in terms of the amount of water required to produce those crops, with a view to implementing trading policies that promote the saving of scarce water resources. Recently, increased attention has focussed on partitioning the virtual water content of crops into green and blue water (derived from rainfall and irrigation, respectively) as the latter has higher opportunity costs associated with its use and therefore impacts directly on scarcity. Maize is the most important crop traded within the SADC region. South Africa is the largest producer and exporter of maize, with the majority of its exports destined for other SADC countries. In comparison to other SADC countries, South Africa produces maize relatively efficiently, with a low virtual water content and a high green (868 m3 tonne−1) to blue (117 m3 tonne−1) water ratio. The blue water content is however higher than for maize produced in all other SADC countries, with the exception of Namibia (211 m3 tonne−1). Current trade patterns therefore result in a net expenditure of blue water (66×106 m3), almost all of which is exported by South Africa (65×106 m3). South Africa is one of the most water scarce countries in the region and analysis of virtual water flows indicates that current SADC maize trading patterns are influenced by national productivity as opposed to water scarcity. The virtual water content of maize was estimated for each of South Africa's nineteen Water Management Area's (WMA) and used as a proxy to represent water use efficiency for maize production. The virtual water content varied widely across all of the WMAs, ranging from 360 m3 tonne-1 in the Ustutu Mhlatuze to 1000 m3 tonne−1 in the Limpopo. A comparison of the virtual water content and production of maize (expressed as a percentage of the total national production) identified those WMAs where maize production is highly water inefficient (e.g. Lower Orange and Limpopo WMAs). Results suggest that, while a national estimate of the virtual water content of a crop may indicate a relatively efficient use of water, an analysis of the virtual water content at smaller scales can reveal inefficient use of water for the same crop. Therefore, analysis of the virtual water content of crops and trading of agricultural products at different spatial scales (i.e. regional, national and WMA) could be an important consideration within the context of water allocation, water use efficiency and alleviation of water scarcity.

scholarly journals Freshwater scarcity and pricing in South Africa: conflicts between conservation and equity in the post-apartheid state

SURG Journal ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-50
Author(s):  
Liane Langstaff
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Free Market ◽  
Economic Thought ◽  
Human Welfare ◽  
Freshwater Resources ◽  
Market Environmentalism ◽  
Distributional Fairness ◽  
The Impact

South Africa faces water scarcity due to the contribution of climatic, geographic, and human variables. As reported by Statistics South Africa, persistent water scarcity and distributional inequity has arisen in a changing political arena from the period of colonization to the most recent chapter of South African governance from 1994 onwards [1]. In the policy context of a state struggling with the legacy of apartheid, conflicts regarding the pricing of freshwater resources have arisen [2]. With discrepancies between the higher price for water required to promote efficiency and conservation, and the alternative pricing system that would meet the South Africa’s responsibility to improve distributional fairness, the most recent challenges took place between 1994 and 2000 [3]. Consequently, the predominant problem linked to South Africa’s freshwater resources is how to allocate water amongst the competing uses of long term environmental and human welfare, without compromising the needs of the country’s urban poor. One perspective, which can provide insight on the issue of water scarcity in South Africa, is free market environmentalism. This branch of economic thought supports a system of water markets with prices that reflect the true cost of providing the resources along with subsidies to address the needs of the poor. Based on an evaluation of the impact of market incentives in South Africa since the 2001 market reforms, it has been determined that a pragmatic, free market environmentalist approach to water can yield economically efficient outcomes for the resource while mitigating distributional equity issues.

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