With Earth Day being commemorated today on 22 April, it’s a timely reminder of the environmental challenges we face – and one of the most pressing is water.

Water is under pressure in South Africa. In addition to being a water scarce country, climate change, ageing infrastructure, and growing demand due to population growth and urbanisation are making reliable water access uncertain for a growing number of households. 

While the scale of the problem can feel overwhelming for the average person – leading to most of us turning a blind eye in the hope that government or big business will fix the problem - the truth is that every South African has an important role to play in helping to build a more water-secure future.

That’s why, FNB is calling on all South Africans to take practical steps to reduce their water use and protect their supply. 

“Water touches every part of life, from health to food to livelihoods,” says Kival Singh, Head of FNB Sustainability & ESG Solutions. “But when you’re dealing with day-to-day pressures, it’s easy to forget that water doesn’t just come from a tap and make the mistaken assumption that water security is someone else’s responsibility.” 

Singh explains that FNB wants to change this way of thinking and make it easier for people to become actively involved in saving and protecting water for their own benefit and that of their communities and future generations. To achieve this, the bank takes a three-pronged approach to partnering with its clients, and all South Africans, in conserving water. “Our goal is to empower people with information, give them practical solutions and remove the financial barriers to ensure they can access the water solutions they need,” Singh explains.

Central to FNB’s approach is education that leads to action. The bank’s Water Coach feature, available via the FNB App under nav»Life → nav»Earth, is a good example of this practical education in action. It is designed to help users understand their personal water consumption habits, uncover opportunities to save water and get personalised tips that fit their home and lifestyle. The Water Coach not only tracks and analyses behaviour, but also explains why conservation matters – turning awareness into real behavioural change.

“People often don’t realise how much water they use or waste,” Singh says. “The Water Coach gives people insight into their usage and advice that fits their lifestyle. It’s about making the connection between personal action and national impact.”

“Securing South Africa’s water future is not a challenge government can tackle alone. It requires a collective response that draws on the strengths of the public and private sector, civil society, and every individual,” says Sipho Silinda, CEO of Public Sector Banking at FNB. “At FNB, we recognise the critical role we play in supporting national priorities. By empowering our customers with tools, knowledge, and funding solutions to actively manage their water use, we are complementing public sector efforts to build a more resilient and water-secure South Africa. Together, we can turn individual actions into national impact.”

For those ready to go further, FNB has made a wide range of practical water solutions available through FNB Connect and eBucks.com. These include:

• Rainwater harvesting systems that collect and filter rain from rooftops for use in toilets, gardens and even laundry – helping households cut their municipal water use.
• Municipal water backup systems, like the JoJo 750L Backup Solution, which comes pre-assembled with a tank, pump and fittings to store municipal water for use during outages. 
• Advanced backup options like the JoJo 1000L Tank & Filter Combo, which includes a pump and inline filter – making the stored water safer for basic household use.
• Fully integrated backup systems for homes that want a seamless water switch during outages. These include pressure-controlled pumps, filtration and larger storage capacity. 
• Filtration and purification systems that improve the quality of stored or harvested water, ensuring it’s safe for drinking and everyday use.
• Smart metering and leak detection tools that allow homeowners to monitor consumption and pinpoint issues before they lead to waste or damage.

All these innovative water collection and conservation products are supplied in partnership with accredited providers, and FNB customers can get up to 20% off select systems when purchasing via the eBucks platform at eBucks.com. Expert assessments are also available to help match households with the right solutions for their needs, home setup and budget.

FNB has also made it easier for South Africans to access these water solutions through a range of flexible and affordable funding options. Customers can choose from personal loans, revolving credit or secured facilities using paid-off property. There’s also an option to register an additional 15% of a new home loan upfront to fund eco-upgrades like water systems, with no additional bond registration fees and up to 30 years to repay.

“People need water security now, not in five years’ time when they’ve saved up enough money to afford them,” says Singh. “That’s why we’ve worked hard to create funding options that are quick, flexible and realistic.”

He emphasises that water insecurity isn’t just about taps running dry; it’s an issue that also affects food security, health, economic opportunity, and equality. “By partnering with South Africans to help them take control of their water use, we’re investing in the future of every family, business and community - and our country as a whole,” he points out.” “The journey to water security starts with one step – and FNB is ready to walk it with you.”

Find out more about FNB’s water solutions, and its affordable financing options from just R1500 per month, on the FNB App or at eBucks.com under the Eco-Home category.