WHILE it is encouraging to see more South African companies embracing water stewardship as an approach to water scarcity and climate variability, they are often hindered by poor infrastructure.

"We commonly encounter issues such as ageing and poorly maintained infrastructure, inadequate wastewater treatment systems and ineffective stormwater management," said Kivana Singh, a hydrologist at SRK Consulting (South Africa). "We also find that there are often outdated or insufficient monitoring systems, limited stakeholder engagement in infrastructure planning, and a lack of dirty water containment."

The result can be significant water losses and deteriorating water quality, noted Singh. Water losses can arise from leaking pipes, faulty valves and ageing supply systems that are prone to inefficiencies. Water quality deterioration is often driven by failing sewer infrastructure, overloaded or poorly maintained treatment systems, and inadequate containment of pollutants.

"Water shortages pose a growing risk to businesses as their supply requirements will not be prioritised over residential users in a crisis," she noted.

These infrastructure-related challenges can make it more difficult for companies to achieve certification in terms of the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) standards. The international AWS standard is a globally applicable framework for major water users to understand their water use and impacts, and to work towards sustainable water management within their catchments.

However, the AWS framework provides practical guidance on addressing infrastructure challenges, she argued. By better understanding their water use, companies can pursue a holistic approach to water management.

"The AWS standard guides companies in critical areas such as stakeholder engagement in infrastructure planning and development, which is often overlooked," she explained. "Without collaboration among authorities, communities and other water users, opportunities for shared knowledge and coordinated action can be missed - limiting the potential for efficient, cost-effective and sustainable solutions."

The global standard helps organisations manage water sustainably at both site and catchment levels. Built on principles of continuous improvement, it focuses on five key outcomes: good water governance; sustainable water balance; good water quality status; healthy ecosystems and biodiversity; and safe access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

"Reliable monitoring of infrastructure is also a critical gap," she said. "Without accurate, real-time information on water quantity and quality, it becomes difficult to make informed decisions or to demonstrate compliance with specific AWS criteria. This often stems from outdated or insufficient metering and limited automation."

The AWS standard guides organisations in addressing infrastructure gaps, enhancing stormwater control and implementing pollution prevention measures. She explained that the SRK Consulting (SA) team of AWS-credentialed specialists draw on their diverse technical backgrounds to support clients on their water stewardship journey.

"SRK helps organisations align their water management practices with water stewardship principles," she said, "to achieve meaningful improvements both within their operations and across the catchments they rely on."

AWS Water Stewardship Framework: Tackling SA's infrastructure challenges