National Strategy for Water re-use

The National Strategy for Water re-use, published by GreenCape in June 2011, outlines a framework for implementing water re-use projects in South Africa to address the country's water-stressed status. It defines various types of re-use, analyzes drivers such as cost and public perception, and identifies sector-specific needs in agriculture, industry, mining, and power generation. The strategy proposes a policy environment focused on clear guidelines, updated water quality standards, and the leveraging of private sector capacity to ensure sustainable water resource management.

• South Africa is classified as water stressed by international standards, with water re-use currently accounting for approximately 14% of total water use. This includes an estimated 1,800 million m3 per annum of return flow in river systems.
• The agricultural sector represents a significant opportunity for expansion in water re-use, as it accounts for about 60% of total water use in South Africa (approximately 7,680 million m3 per annum), yet only a small proportion of irrigated agriculture currently uses treated wastewater.
• Water re-use in the municipal sector is divided into non-potable and potable uses. While indirect potable re-use is well established in South Africa, direct potable re-use has not been implemented, although it has been used in Windhoek, Namibia, since the 1970s.
• The mining and power generation sectors heavily utilize water recycling and re-use to reduce costs and meet environmental mandates. Coal-fired power stations in South Africa typically operate as zero effluent discharge facilities, and the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) is highlighted as a critical area for turning negative environmental impacts into beneficial water use.
• Several key drivers influence the choice of water re-use, including cost relative to other alternatives, water quality, treatment technology, environmental considerations, and social/cultural perceptions. Public taboos regarding the use of treated municipal wastewater for food crops or drinking water are noted as significant obstacles.
• The strategy identifies a fragmented regulatory environment as a barrier to implementation, with controls spread across multiple acts including the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) and the National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998). The Department of Water Affairs aims to streamline this by developing practical guidelines and reviewing water quality standards.
• Implementation capacity is viewed as a critical success factor. The strategy suggests that only entities with high technical and financial capacity—such as metropolitan municipalities, water boards, and private companies—are likely capable of implementing these projects, and recommends an industry-agreed accreditation system.

APA

GreenCape (2011). National Strategy for Water re-use. https://greencape.co.za/assets/Sector-files/water/Reclamation-and-reuse/DWS-National-water-resources-strategy-2-annexure-D-national-strategy-for-water-re-use-2011.pdf

Chicago

GreenCape. National Strategy for Water re-use. 2011. https://greencape.co.za/assets/Sector-files/water/Reclamation-and-reuse/DWS-National-water-resources-strategy-2-annexure-D-national-strategy-for-water-re-use-2011.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=GreenCape |title=National Strategy for Water re-use |date=June 2011 |url=https://greencape.co.za/assets/Sector-files/water/Reclamation-and-reuse/DWS-National-water-resources-strategy-2-annexure-D-national-strategy-for-water-re-use-2011.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greencape2011national, author = {{GreenCape}}, title = {{National Strategy for Water re-use}}, institution = {GreenCape}, year = {2011}, month = jun, url = {https://greencape.co.za/assets/Sector-files/water/Reclamation-and-reuse/DWS-National-water-resources-strategy-2-annexure-D-national-strategy-for-water-re-use-2011.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }