Water: Market Intelligence Report 2017

The report highlights a significant market for green water technologies in South Africa, driven by resource scarcity, rising costs, and climate change. Key opportunities include industrial water reuse, smart water management, desalination, and groundwater development. In the Western Cape, the industrial water reuse market is estimated at R600 million, while the direct potable municipal reuse market is valued at R4.5 billion. The document also emphasizes the water-energy nexus and the need to reduce municipal non-revenue water, which currently stands at 37% nationally.

• South Africa faces a projected annual water deficit of 1-3 billion m3 (7-22%) by 2030 if current population and business growth trends continue without new supply systems.
• The total addressable market for unlocking water resources in South Africa is estimated between R7.5 billion and R22.5 billion per year, based on an average drinking water cost of R7.50 per m3.
• In the Western Cape, the industrial water reuse market is valued at R600 million and is expected to grow, while the direct potable municipal reuse market is estimated at R4.5 billion.
• Water is perceived as a critical operational risk by South African companies; in 2016, 94% of companies reported water as a direct risk to their operations, the highest rate globally.
• Municipal non-revenue water (NRW) in South Africa is a national priority, with 37% of the 4,500 million m3 used annually by municipalities being lost, representing approximately R7 billion in potential revenue.
• Groundwater represents a significant untapped resource in South Africa, with a total estimated renewable yield of 7 to 10 billion m3/year, of which only 2 to 4 billion m3/year is currently used.
• Artificial groundwater recharge is significantly more cost-effective than desalination, with costs in Plettenberg Bay and Sedgefield being one-fifth and one-quarter of desalination capital costs, respectively.
• The South African water sector requires an average investment of R855 billion over the next decade, with total infrastructure and resources valued at a replacement value of approximately R1.3 trillion.
• Water and energy are highly interdependent; water and sanitation departments account for roughly 30% of total urban energy use, primarily for water conveyance and wastewater treatment.
• The Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS) is projected to have demand surpass supply by 2020 under current planning scenarios unless effective management measures are implemented.

APA

GreenCape (2017). Water: Market Intelligence Report 2017. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GreenCape-Water-MIR-2017-electronic-FINAL-v1-3.pdf

Chicago

GreenCape. Water: Market Intelligence Report 2017. 2017. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GreenCape-Water-MIR-2017-electronic-FINAL-v1-3.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=GreenCape |title=Water: Market Intelligence Report 2017 |date=2017 |url=https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GreenCape-Water-MIR-2017-electronic-FINAL-v1-3.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greencape2017water, author = {{GreenCape}}, title = {{Water: Market Intelligence Report 2017}}, institution = {GreenCape}, year = {2017}, url = {https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GreenCape-Water-MIR-2017-electronic-FINAL-v1-3.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }