Over and above appreciating the intrinsic value of water as a vital human resource, the South African approach should be to recognise the business value of the commodity and, therefore, the country should pursue investments in the sector to generate sustained economic growth, employment and general wellbeing.

This was the key message outlined at the fourth Annual Water Stewardship Conference, jointly hosted by GIZ, the International Water Stewardship Programme, the National Business Initiative, the Royal Danish Embassy and the Strategic Water Partners Network South Africa, in Johannesburg, this month.

The event built on the momentum of last year’s conference, which focused on closing the financing gap highlighted in the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan (NWSMP), and explored the related financial and economic benefits of investing in improved water resources and supply management as described in the NWSMP.

Delegates were informed that, since, the prior year’s proceedings, the plan had been submitted to Cabinet and approved.

The NWSMP sets out the prioritised action plan for water and sanitation in the country to 2030 and beyond.

The plan focuses on meeting the water needs of the country and creating sustainable water infrastructure. It also aims to create conditions that can bring about a change in behaviour, perceptions, and attitudes towards water in the country, besides striving to develop a water sector that allows the country to be resilient in the face of climate change.

Such efforts are especially important in light of the country’s current water crisis, which has already affected the country’s economic performance.

The water crisis was ascribed to insufficient water infrastructure maintenance and investment, droughts driven by climatic variation, inequalities in access to water and sanitation, deteriorating water utilities and a lack of skilled water engineers.

This crisis affects the country’s economy in terms of revenue generation, cost of water treatment, productivity losses, declining economic growth, health and hygiene, tourism and reduced access to water for productive uses.