From water crisis to water smart: how STS is helping community schemes take control

South Africa is running dry, quite literally. From Johannesburg’s strained infrastructure to Cape Town’s brush with Day Zero in 2018, the signs are clear: water insecurity is no longer a distant threat, but a daily reality for millions of South Africans. For those living in sectional title schemes and other community living environments, the stakes are even higher.

In a recent SAFM radio interview on The Morning Bliss with Nonkululeko Mantula, Bradley Mason, Executive Director at STS, unpacked the urgency of sound water management in sectional title communities.

“This is not just a governance issue. It’s about being proactive before you turn on your tap and there’s nothing there,” he warned. “Water is the next gold. And it’s our responsibility to act before the crisis gets worse.”

LISTEN: Bradley Mason on SAFM – Water Solutions for Community Schemes

Sectional title living, which offers benefits such as affordability, shared costs, and enhanced security, also comes with increased complexity. Dense populations mean higher water consumption, and when municipal supply fails, the impact is immediate and widespread. Communal facilities like pools, gardens, and shared bathrooms can quickly become liabilities.

This is why STS has taken the lead in providing customised, fully compliant water solutions for complexes, estates and blocks of flats around South Africa. As with energy resilience, STS understands that sustainability starts with planning, legal know-how, and the right partners.

“We’ve seen this before with load shedding. Now it’s water shedding,” said Bradley. “If you’re living in a community scheme, you need a water plan now.”

Under the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act and Prescribed Management Rule 29(2), community schemes can legally implement water solutions if the improvement is deemed “reasonably necessary.” This allows trustees to notify owners in writing, giving them 30 days to object. If no objections are received, the project can go ahead. If there are objections, a meeting must be called, and a special resolution vote held.

This legal pathway provides a clear, democratic route for getting much-needed infrastructure in place, provided schemes follow it correctly.

STS guides community schemes through every step, from compliance to completion. Our approach includes:

1. Conducting a water audit – Identify leaks, inefficiencies, and where the scheme is most vulnerable.
2. Designing a fit-for-purpose plan – Options may include rainwater harvesting, smart metering, filtration, or backup storage (all tailored to the community’s specific needs).
3. Presenting a clear proposal to owners – With cost estimates, funding options, technical drawings, and timelines (all aligned with legal requirements).
4. Ensuring proper approvals – Navigating PMR 29 compliance, municipal requirements, and community buy-in.
5. Overseeing professional implementation – STS only works with vetted contractors who understand the community scheme environment and its legal landscape.
6. Ongoing support and maintenance – Including long-term planning, resident education, and regular inspections to protect your investment.

Implementing a water management system in a community scheme isn’t just a short-term fix. It protects property values, ensures operational continuity, and promotes peace of mind in the face of increasing municipal uncertainty. With water-saving technologies and backup systems in place, residents experience:

• Reduced monthly municipal water bills
• Access to water during municipal outages
• Increased property appeal for buyers and investors
• Better budget control through predictable costs
• A tangible contribution to sustainable urban living

The consequences of poor planning can be serious. In one infamous case, a body corporate undertook unauthorised borehole drilling that disrupted Gautrain operations — a costly mistake that could have been avoided with proper support.

With over 15 years of experience and a specialised team of legal and technical experts, STS is the trusted partner for water resilience in community schemes.

“Our business exists to serve community schemes,” said Bradley. “We understand the complexity, the legislation, the operational needs and we make it simple, secure and compliant.”