South Africa water crisis intensifies due to climate extremes and failing infrastructure

South Africa is facing a deepening water crisis as climate change intensifies existing vulnerabilities in municipal infrastructure. Communities across provinces including Mpumalanga, Gauteng, the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape are experiencing extreme fluctuations between flooding and drought.

Reports indicate that aging pipes, inadequate maintenance, limited technical capacity, and years of underinvestment have left systems unable to cope. In Carolina, Mpumalanga, residents report water contamination linked to sewage leaks and acid mine drainage, leading to concerns over stomach illnesses and skin rashes. In Bekkersdal, Gauteng, unreliable supply forces families to walk long distances or purchase water from vendors. Meanwhile, in Thabong, Free State, municipalities have implemented nightly water shut-offs to mitigate losses from leaks.

The Department of Water and Sanitation’s 2023 assessments highlight the scale of the issue, noting that national non-revenue water—water lost to leaks or unpaid usage—reached approximately 47% in 2023.