South Africa's Water Challenges Are Reshaping How Businesses Plan For Resiliencev

Supply disruptions, ageing infrastructure, water reform and rising investment needs are changing how organisations manage water risk

Johannesburg, South Africa -- South Africa’s water landscape is entering a critical period. Ageing infrastructure, increasing supply disruptions and pressure on municipal water systems are forcing businesses to reassess how water is managed as part of operational continuity and long-term investment planning.

The challenge is particularly visible in Johannesburg, where more than a third of the city’s water supply – approximately 655 million litres a day – is reportedly being lost through ageing and damaged infrastructure.

At the same time, government has launched the National Water Action Plan, which prioritises infrastructure investment, regulatory reform, improved municipal water services and greater private-sector participation. Government has also allocated R156 billion to water and sanitation infrastructure over the next three years.

These issues will form part of the discussion at Water Security Africa Johannesburg, taking place 28–29 October 2026 at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg.

Water security is becoming a business strategy

Water security is no longer only an operational or sustainability concern. Reliable supply increasingly affects business continuity, investment decisions, ESG performance and long-term competitiveness.

The Executive Leadership Forum: “Water Security is Now a Boardroom Issue” will examine how organisations are integrating water resilience into enterprise risk and business strategy.

Discussions will explore protecting operations against supply interruptions, strengthening collaboration between business, municipalities and government, and investing in solutions that can build long-term resilience.

Building water resilience into South Africa’s cities

As infrastructure comes under increasing pressure, businesses and developers are also reconsidering how buildings, precincts and critical facilities are designed.

The session “Designing Water-Resilient Cities” will explore how decentralised water systems, onsite treatment, storage, alternative water sources and smarter infrastructure can help commercial property, healthcare facilities, logistics hubs and data centres become more resilient to disruption.

The discussion will also examine how Green Building standards, ESG requirements, digital technologies and climate-resilient planning are influencing future development.

Using digital technology to improve water performance

South Africa’s water challenge is not only about developing new infrastructure. Improving the performance of existing assets is equally important.

The Digital Water Forum: “Smart Water Systems” will examine how AI, digital twins, predictive analytics, digital asset management and real-time data can help organisations reduce losses, improve maintenance and optimise infrastructure performance.

The focus will be on practical applications and case studies demonstrating measurable improvements in efficiency, resilience and business performance.

From water risk to water resilience

The wider programme will also address water reform, infrastructure financing, industrial water independence, reuse and recycling, alternative supply and public-private partnerships, providing organisations with a practical view of how South Africa can move from identifying water risks to implementing solutions.

As government increases its focus on reform and infrastructure investment, the role of business, investors, municipalities and technology providers in strengthening South Africa’s water resilience is becoming increasingly important.

Water Security Africa Johannesburg 2026 will bring these stakeholders together to examine how organisations can secure supply, improve efficiency and build resilience in an increasingly water-constrained environment.

28–29 October 2026 | The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg

South Africa’s next water challenge is not simply securing more water – it is building systems, businesses and cities that can withstand disruption.

Find out more: Water Security Africa Johannesburg – www.WaterSecurity-Africa.com