Water security in South Africa: What community schemes should know, and why planning matters

Across South Africa, many communities are already aware of pressures on water supply. Water supply interruptions are becoming increasingly common as municipalities struggle with aging infrastructure, pump station failures, low-pressure events, and rising demand. Although “water shedding” is not formally declared, the reality is that many communities already experience prolonged outages, unpredictable supply, and inconsistent water quality.

Instead of reacting in crisis mode, community schemes benefit far more from proactive planning, improved risk awareness, and investing in infrastructure that strengthens long-term resilience.

Below, we provide the practical solutions available to residential estates, sectional titles, Home Owners Associations (HOAs) and mixed-use developments, and cover how our partnership with iWater Management makes fully engineered water security more accessible than ever

Many of the water challenges facing community schemes today can be addressed through a combination of engineered infrastructure, backup supply systems, and quality-controlled treatment processes. The goal is not just to keep water running during an outage, but also to create long-term reliability, safety and cost predictability.

To support this growing need, STS has partnered with iWater Management, a trusted leader in engineered water infrastructure, borehole development, municipal backup systems, and SANS-compliant treatment plants. Together, we deliver turnkey solutions designed specifically for community schemes, including:

• Borehole survey and drilling
• Yield testing
• Municipal backup systems
• On-site water treatment and filtration plants
• Water testing aligned to SANS 241
• Compliance with SANS 10299
• Solar-powered containerised treatment plants
• WULA licensing support

These solutions are specifically designed to address the actual challenges schemes face today (irregular municipal supply, infrastructure failures, water quality concerns and rapid tariff increases).

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

Community schemes can also take their resilience further by aligning water management systems and efficient energy systems to create a holistic, self-reliant, and financially stable utility ecosystem. By combining our water management solutions with our efficient energy solutions, community schemes can reduce dependency on traditional networks, improve long-term cost predictability, and take back control of their future.

• Operational independence and resilience
  By generating your own electricity and securing your own water supply, your scheme can continue running essential services even during outages. This strengthens continuity, security and daily living standards.
• Dual cost protection or balanced protection across both utilities
  Solar and battery solutions safeguard against rising electricity tariffs, while smart water management systems reduce municipal dependency and consumption. Together, they help keep total utility costs controlled and sustainable.

Implementing a water management system for a community scheme is not a one-size-fits-all approach; it’s a carefully designed journey that considers your scheme’s size, budget, and long-term goals.

Some community schemes are able to pay for our water solution and installation. However, many schemes may not have the finances available to pay upfront. In this case, your complex, estate or block of flats may want to consider our project funding solution, which covers all costs.

It is important to keep in mind that owning the water solution means the scheme will be responsible for the insurance, monitoring, servicing and maintenance of the system. As the equipment ages or technology evolves, components may also need to be upgraded or replaced in the future.

If your complex, estate or commercial sectional title is facing:

• Rising utility costs
• Unplanned outages
• Water quality issues
• Infrastructure concerns

…then this is the ideal time to evaluate your water and energy strategy.

ALSO READ: Water shedding in South Africa: what homeowners need to know

Through our partnership, we offer engineered, scalable solutions that strengthen reliability, improve compliance, stabilise costs and protect long-term property value.

By planning proactively, you are not just responding to challenges, you are building a more secure and sustainable future for your scheme