When the well runs dry

As South Africa faces ongoing water shortages and the growing threat of water-shedding, concerns about the impact on firefighting efforts have emerged.

Water security remains a critical challenge for South Africa. The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) commends the government’s commitment to securing R23 billion for seven large-scale water projects, including the Lesotho Highlands Phase 2 Polihali Dam. “This project, expected to add 490,000,000m³ of water per year into the Vaal River system, will help address some of the country’s growing water demands. Additionally, progress on the Ntabelanga Dam for the uMzimvubu River will bring much-needed water resources to the Eastern Cape,” notes the institution.

However, SAICE urges the government to take a more proactive approach to water infrastructure maintenance. “Reports indicate that between 45 and 55% of South Africa’s water is lost due to leaks and ageing infrastructure,” it says. With an estimated R1 trillion needed to repair and upgrade existing water infrastructure, SAICE stresses the importance of addressing these systemic inefficiencies before they lead to further crises.

“Furthermore, South Africa’s water boards remain in financial distress, with debts exceeding R23 billion. If not addressed, this could lead to water supply failures in multiple provinces,” it continues. “A more structured financial model – potentially including national funding for water boards rather than sole reliance on municipal payments – is necessary to ensure the sustainability of bulk water supply systems.”

Water-shedding and other water shortage issues significantly impact municipal and community firefighting capabilities by limiting the availability of water in municipal reservoirs and hydrants, and making it challenging to maintain adequate water pressure and supply during firefighting operations. With less water available, the risk of fires spreading increases, especially in dry and windy conditions.

“It is not just about water-shedding, but also the general lack of water in some areas,” says Michael van Niekerk, CEO of ASP Fire – an accredited fire risk management consultant, trainer, and provider and installer of fire detection and suppression equipment. “In fact, I have been involved with projects where water is only available during certain hours. In such cases, building regulations suggest that the owner should assess the risk and, if necessary, provide an on-site water supply. However, there is no legal obligation to do this; it is more of a recommendation.”

Van Niekerk points out that, despite current regulations, business owners do not fully appreciate the risks of not having highly reliable, adequate water sources on hand – especially where they have high-risk operations or storage facilities, capital-intensive production lines, or are exposed to significant business continuity or market loss challenges. He further emphasises the importance of collective efforts in addressing firefighting challenges.

“A unified approach to community firefighting is lacking. For instance, setting up a communal fire tank and pump to serve multiple properties would alleviate the burden on individual owners. It would be cost-effective and provide a reliable water source for firefighting,” he argues.

In rural and semi-rural areas, Van Niekerk suggests leveraging existing infrastructure such as farm irrigation systems to supplement water supplies for firefighting purposes. “Using existing resources like irrigation systems on farms to supply water for firefighting could be a viable solution in these regions,” he says.

Establishing communal water tanks in strategic locations can ensure a reliable water source for firefighting and other emergency needs. Another proactive measure is encouraging the use of rainwater harvesting systems to supplement the water supply for firefighting. So, investing in infrastructure improvements can enhance water storage and distribution systems to reduce the risks associated with fire services that have been rendered ineffective due to a lack of water.

With water boards facing financial distress and the need for a more structured financial model to ensure the sustainability of bulk water supply systems, local solutions for firefighting water security become increasingly vital for safety against fires.