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Evaluation of Southern and South Africa’s Freshwater Resources

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Water as an Inescapable Risk

Part of the book series: Springer Water ((SPWA))

Abstract

The southern African region experiences a great variance in climate as well as in terms of water resources. Water resources are characterised by great temporal variability especially in drier countries which are in the southernmost part of the region. The region has a high number of transboundary rivers and is importantly indicating a cooperation pattern rather than conflict over water as an increasing scarce resource is at variance of the global norm. This can be attributed to more robust institutional development of transboundary river basins than expected in the region. Both surface and groundwater of southern Africa and specifically South Africa are increasingly under pressure due to the constant growth in the population as well as increased climate variability. It is important to note that more than half of the country’s WMAs are in a water deficit after the allocation of enough water for rivers and environmental flow requirements despite significant water transfers into the country from other systems to assist in meeting water requirements. Both surface and groundwater resources are continually being degraded by all water sectors in various manners and have given rise to multiple water quality issues which affect water availability as a result. High water losses as well as overall increased water scarcity and stress within the country have led to the implementation of widespread water restrictions which have been put in place throughout the country with the recent (2015–2017) drought. For the country to improve on its freshwater resources, it needs to improve or adapt its overall management approaches and invest in treatment technologies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, School of Ecological and Human Sustainability, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Anja du Plessis

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  1. Anja du Plessis
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Correspondence to Anja du Plessis .

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du Plessis, A. (2019). Evaluation of Southern and South Africa’s Freshwater Resources. In: Water as an Inescapable Risk. Springer Water. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03186-2_7

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