Towards an approach for enhancing water security: The case of South Africa

Abstract

Background: Water demands in South Africa are rising, yet there is a lack of frameworks addressing sustainable water security at the local level. This gap, compounded by limited empirical evidence, challenges efforts to enhance water security.

Aim: The article assesses water security and proposes a localised and adaptive framework for long-term water security at the household level in South Africa, aligning with sustainable development and integrated water resource management principles.

Methods: Fieldwork, based on mixed methods approach, was conducted and a review of relevant literature was undertaken to identify fundamental dimensions of water security.

Results: Critical elements influencing water security (viz. grouped into five dimensions: economic, social, technical, environmental, and institutional) were observed. An approach, based on the critical elements pertaining to water security, was developed to address the relevant dimensions, offering an integrated approach to enhancing water security.

Conclusion: The proposed framework advances an understanding of water security by offering a novel and actionable approach that can be adapted to local contexts in South Africa (and possibly in other countries too). It emphasises the importance of multi-dimensional solutions to enhance the resilience of local water supply systems.

Contribution: This article fills a significant gap in local-level water security frameworks, providing a practical model for policymakers and stakeholders to implement sustainable water security strategies in South Africa.