South Africans are being urged to save water before shortages worsen, with a Durban water expert warning that El Niño conditions could place additional pressure on already strained supplies this summer.
Professor Sheena Kumari Pillai, a professor at Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology and the university’s SARChI Chair in Wastewater Treatment and Reuse, said households, businesses and municipalities cannot afford to wait for a crisis before acting.
Her warning comes as forecasts point to below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures across much of the country between October and December 2026, with similar conditions expected from November to January.
Although El Niño does not automatically lead to drought, reduced rainfall and rising temperatures can increase pressure on dams, rivers and water infrastructure.
“South Africa already faces severe water scarcity, with average rainfall around half the global average. As temperatures rise and rainfall declines, our water systems come under growing pressure from higher demand, increased evaporation and reduced water supplies,” said Prof Kumari Pillai.
She said existing infrastructure challenges, including high levels of non-revenue water, add to the pressure.
KwaZulu-Natal is also vulnerable, with reduced rainfall potentially affecting water resources, agriculture and household supplies, while hotter conditions can increase water demand.
“We cannot wait for dams and rivers to run low before we act,” she said.
Prof Kumari Pillai believes South Africa must look beyond rainfall-dependent supplies and make better use of alternative water sources, including treated wastewater.
Wastewater reuse can provide water for industry, agriculture and other non-drinking purposes, reducing pressure on freshwater resources.
“Wastewater is not waste. It is a valuable resource that can help secure our water future,” she said.
She added that water security also depends on fixing leaking pipes, reducing pollution and ensuring wastewater is properly treated before it is released into the environment.
Through its Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, DUT is researching technologies for wastewater treatment and reuse, water-quality monitoring and sustainable water-resource management.
Prof Kumari Pillai says universities can help develop practical solutions by working with municipalities, government, industry and communities.
Households and institutions can also play a role by repairing leaking taps and pipes, avoiding unnecessary water use, harvesting rainwater where practical and reusing greywater safely where appropriate.
The 2018 Cape Town Day Zero crisis demonstrated how quickly water security can become a national concern when supplies come under extreme pressure.
With summer approaching, Prof Kumari Pillai says South Africa should act now rather than wait for restrictions to become necessary.
“Every litre saved today strengthens our water security tomorrow. Save water. Reuse where possible. Protect every drop.”
