Turning the water problem into a water opportunity

South Africa is a water-scarce country and water poverty is one of our biggest developmental challenges. Data from the South African weather services indicates that the country receives an average rainfall of 450ml as compared to the global average of 1,000ml.

The escalating water crisis requires immediate action by all stakeholders in society. A root cause analysis points to failing municipal infrastructure, climate change leading to changing rainfall patterns, and the lack of innovative solutions as possible causal factors. If left unattended, major cities and towns will face severe water shortages with potential “day zero” scenarios.

To address the problem of water scarcity and the escalating water crisis, a new approach with innovative, long-term, sustainable solutions is required. In essence, we need to apply an innovation lens to addressing the water problem. By applying an innovation lens, we can turn the water problem into a water opportunity. The water risk now becomes an opportunity risk that has the potential of yielding net positive results for the country and continent.  Applying an innovation lens allows us to reframe the challenge of water poverty as an opportunity for water security for all. Our attention, energy, efforts, and resources shift to the question of how best to facilitate water security for all.

South Africa needs an innovation-driven strategy that focuses on novel solutions for water security. Five innovation-driven solutions can be considered. First, new technologies can help us achieve water independence for all. This requires a deliberate effort to leverage digital and green technologies for more effective water management. We need greater investments in new water technologies such as climate resilient water systems that will assist us to end water poverty and meet our sustainability goals. Second, a concerted effort to mainstream water as a circular resource with more incentives for firms who treat and recycle water in their businesses. Businesses need to see what’s in it for them before they commit to sustainable water practices.

Our current water infrastructure is unable to distribute value to citizens. Poor water infrastructure is often the most visible sign of water poverty. From an innovation perspective, we should not push water infrastructure into communities but provide an enabling environment where local economic development is forced to “pull” water infrastructure into communities. The water infrastructure that is then developed to meet the demands of local economies can be sustained using public-private partnerships. New water infrastructure needs to be safeguarded, and this can only take place when all in society have vested interests in ensuring that the infrastructure is always protected and fully operational.

The fourth strategic intervention is to adopt innovative pull strategies such as investing in new skills for effective water management. This is far more effective at triggering sustainable water development and facilitating water security for all. A teacher or politician cannot be employed to maintain water infrastructure. This is the role of a highly qualified and competent water engineer. By closing the skills gap in water management, the country could position itself as a global leader in producing high-quality water-related skills for the global market.

During a recent lecture by Professor Omar Yaghi, a global expert in reticular chemistry, new research on clean water production was explored in detail. Reticular chemistry is the science of linking molecules using strong bonds and may provide sustainable solutions to clean water production. With over 30 years of research, Professor Yaghi has been able to demonstrate how metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are driving advancements in clean water production in various parts of the world.

There is more water in the air than there is in all rivers and dams in the world. Professor Yaghi and his team have been able to develop MOF water harvesters able to harvest water from the air. This exciting and useful technology produces ultra-pure, distilled water with the MOF acting as a molecular filter. Imagine the possibilities if every rural community could have an independent water harvester at their doorstep!

The fifth strategic intervention for facilitating water security is to adopt independent water harvesting from the air using research from the field of reticular chemistry. Entities such as the Chemicals SETA (CHIETA) will be exploring partnerships on clean water harvesting to ensure that South Africa is not left behind. This will include a startup fund for assisting potential “waterpreneurs” and water harvesting cooperatives to establish their independent water harvesting enterprises.

Mahatma Gandhi once declared that water and sanitation are more important than political freedom. Facilitating water security for all is a process, not an event. What is required is a total mindset shift with new innovative strategies that focus on long-term sustainability as opposed to short-term, quick fixes that yield very little results.

Yershen Pillay is CEO of the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA).

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