South Africa's water crisis is intensifying as failing infrastructure, droughts, and shrinking reservoir levels strain municipalities. Gauteng is already facing level one restrictions, while eThekwini’s water curtailments will continue until September. With demand set to outstrip supply by 17% in five years, urgent solutions are needed.

Dr Andrew Dickson, engineering executive at CBi-electric: low voltage, urges national and local governments to adopt smart technologies to tackle water shortages. “Without clear data, we’re guessing the extent of the problem. Smart tech delivers real-time insights to identify inefficiencies and predict future demand. “

He recommends implementing IoT-powered smart meters to precisely track and monitor water usage. “By leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data Analytics (BDA), municipalities can transform this data into accurate demand forecasts, optimise available supply, and proactively plan for potential shortages.”

"These technologies also pick up patterns and performance trends, enabling predictive maintenance to prevent equipment failures, costly repairs, and service disruptions,” notes Dr Dickson. “At the same time, proactive interventions extend the lifespan of infrastructure, ensuring long-term efficiency. This approach has already proven effective in Australia, where monthly peak demand dropped by 10% and A$100 million (R1.174 billion) in new infrastructure costs were deferred for four years.”

Additionally, he highlights that smart meters detect leaks or unusual usage spikes in real time, helping to reduce water wastage. “Speedy leak identification and repair safeguards revenue, conserves supply and stabilises the network. Given Gauteng’s high water losses, where one in four litres supplied by Rand Water is lost to leaks, adopting this technology could be a game-changer.” 

With South Africans consuming an average of 235 litres water per person per day - 36% more than the global average - Dr Dickson points out that smart meters can influence consumer behaviour. “By providing detailed consumption data for activities like flushing a toilet or running a dishwasher, customers can see the direct impact of their actions. During the Western Cape drought, the combination of smart meters and behavioural shifts led to a 15%-26% reduction in water use across 105 schools, saving around 380 kilolitres per school.”

Regarding the affordability of smart water metering for local and national governments, he says, “While the upfront investment is high, the long-term returns ensure water security. The revenue lost to leaks alone could offset the cost of smart infrastructure in the short term. Minimising losses ensures a more stable financial base, enabling investment in infrastructure and maintenance which is crucial given that 29% of the country’s water systems are in critical condition.”

While South Africa’s ongoing energy crisis could complicate the implementation of smart water solutions, Dr Dickson explains that we cannot wait to act. “Critical systems, like pump stations, are already equipped with backup power. And while we can live without electricity, we cannot survive without clean water - that must be our priority.”