Water Infrastructure Management and Reuse in South Africa

South Africa faces increasing challenges in ensuring reliable water supply due to growing droughts, climate change, and largely outdated water infrastructure. In particularly affected regions such as the Eastern Cape Province or the Kouga area, water scarcity and unreliable supply threaten both the livelihoods of the population and economic development. High water losses, insufficient water quality, and inefficient management of existing systems urgently require innovative and sustainable solutions. The ECWASA project aims to improve long-term water security in South Africa and Namibia by developing integrated water infrastructure management strategies. A particular focus is placed on promoting water reuse, building resilient supply systems, and integrating digital technologies. Close cooperation with local partners and authorities ensures that interventions are tailored to local needs and address both technical and institutional aspects of water governance. The goal is to develop practical, transferable concepts that enhance resilience to climatic and structural risks, thereby contributing directly to key sustainability objectives in the water sector.

More about the BMFTR (formerly BMBF) funded ECWASA project