 Written by: Dr Lester Goldman, CEO of The Water Institute of Southern Africa and Dr Ashton Busani Mpofu, Non-Executive Director at The Water Institute of Southern Africa
South Africa is facing a growing water crisis. Climate change, ageing infrastructure, pollution, and unequal access are putting intense pressure on the country’s water systems. As dams run low, taps run dry, and communities struggle, a powerful question arises: can artificial intelligence (AI) help us change course? In the words of Nelson Mandela: “Massive poverty and obscene inequality… rank alongside slavery and apartheid as social evils.” These words echo louder today as millions of South Africans still live without reliable access to clean drinking water—despite rapid global advances in technology. The country loses nearly half its treated water to leaks, theft, and poor management. Meanwhile, the tools to fix these problems may already be within reach. AI: a new ally in an old struggle AI isn't just about robots and smart devices, it’s about using data and machine learning to make smarter decisions, faster. In the water sector, this means identifying leaks before pipes burst, forecasting droughts more accurately, preventing water pollution, and even improving how farmers irrigate their crops. Across Africa, where similar water challenges persist, AI could be a game-changer, if deployed ethically and inclusively. Smarter water management AI’s real strength lies in its ability to process massive amounts of data. For water utilities, this can transform how systems are monitored and maintained.
Making every drop count in agriculture Farming uses over 60% of South Africa’s water. With AI-powered irrigation, farmers can water only when needed, based on real-time data about soil moisture, weather, and crop type. These smart systems can:
Cleaner water, healthier communities AI can also protect water quality. By analysing pollution patterns, machine learning models can detect contaminants from industries, mines, or agriculture. In rural and under-resourced areas, where data is scarce, AI can still predict pollution risks, helping prevent health hazards before they reach communities. Tackling corruption and theft Corruption and vandalism are major drains on the water sector. AI can help shine a light on financial misconduct by scanning procurement data for red flags—such as ghost suppliers or suspicious contracts. Video surveillance and AI-powered drones can also monitor vulnerable infrastructure and detect theft in real time. Predictive models can map high-risk areas, helping municipalities focus resources where they’re needed most. Closing the skills gap There’s a severe shortage of technical expertise in South Africa’s water sector. AI can fill that gap—not by replacing people, but by supporting them. Tools like chatbots, remote dashboards, and automated alerts can help less-experienced staff operate complex systems with confidence. AI also preserves institutional knowledge, digitising manuals and past case data to support decision-making—even when experienced technicians leave. Building public engagement Technology can also empower the public. AI-powered chatbots and multilingual apps can teach water-saving tips, notify users of local outages, and help people report leaks or vandalism. Communities become partners in managing water—not just passive recipients. Ethics first: AI that works for everyone While the promise of AI is enormous, it must be used responsibly. That means:
A way forward To unlock AI’s full potential, South Africa needs to start with practical, high-impact projects—like leak detection and predictive maintenance. But technology alone isn’t enough. Investing in digital infrastructure, skills, and cross-sector partnerships is key. If done right, AI can help deliver universal access to clean, safe water—and make the sector more resilient for the future. As AI researcher Timnit Gebru said: “Technology is not neutral; it reflects the values of its creators.” ENDS MEDIA CONTACT: Idéle Prinsloo, [email protected], 082 573 9219, www.atthatpoint.co.za For more information on WISA please visit: Website: https://wisa.org.za/ X: @WaterInstituteSA LinkedIn: Water Institute of Southern Africa Facebook: Water Institute of Southern Africa
0 Comments
 Companies in the food and beverage/manufacturing/mining/agriculture/chemical/energy/automotive manufacturing sectors may be facing a 30 June 2025 deadline of which they weren’t even aware.
By that date, both private companies and municipalities that operate water and wastewater treatment facilities in South Africa must be able to prove that they have registered a supervisor as a Professional Process Controller with the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA), as required by Regulation 3630 of the National Water Act. The regulation came into effect in 2023 and granted organisations 24 months to comply. The risk of non-compliance Non-compliant facilities risk fines, penalties, forced shutdowns of water or wastewater treatment operations, and even civil or criminal liability for environmental or health violations. If they haven’t already, organisations should urgently budget for and fast-track the necessary training and registration to remain compliant. “The requirements under Regulation 3630 addresses the increasing complexity of water purification, and the understanding that water and wastewater processes need to be monitored, even if they are to some extent automated,” explains Dr Lester Goldman, CEO of the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA). The role of HR Compliance with the regulation is not only a technical or operational issue, but also a staff qualifications and employment compliance matter. The responsibility to register the relevant individual therefore lies with HR departments, compliance officers, operations managers, facilities or environmental managers, and in smaller firms with the general manager or executive who oversees multiple functions, Dr Goldman explains. Regulation 3630 mandates that water and wastewater treatment plants in South Africa must have a senior, professionally registered process controller as their supervisor. This means that a Professional Process Controller registered with the Water Institute of Southern Africa WISA – not an engineer or scientist – must be the supervisor at the treatment plant. Class V and Class VI Process Controllers (known as Senior Process Controllers) must also be registered with WISA as Professional Process Controllers. Process Controllers who are registered with WISA are bound by the association’s code of conduct and have access to continuous professional development to uphold their professional status. The association also provides guidance and support to new entrants into this field to strengthen the pipeline of scarce and critical skills in South Africa’s water sector. Acknowledging the existing compliance burden on companies, Dr Goldman softens the additional blow: “Companies who comply with the regulation are – by virtue of their compliance – also making a crucial investment in the water security of South Africa.” More information on Regulation 3630 of the National Water Act and related compliance matters are available at [LINK to new page on WISA website] ENDS MEDIA CONTACT: Idéle Prinsloo, [email protected], 082 573 9219, www.atthatpoint.co.za For more information on WISA please visit: Website: https://wisa.org.za/ X: @WaterInstituteSA LinkedIn: Water Institute of Southern Africa Facebook: Water Institute of Southern Africa  The deadline to professionally register water process controllers by 30 June 2025 may seem like yet another onerous layer of red tape, when it’s in fact a critical step towards improving accountability and setting standards in South Africa’s water sector. Regulation 3630 of the National Water Act mandates that all water and wastewater works be managed by qualified professionals to ensure compliance and best practice – by registering all plant supervisors at the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA). This will benefit ordinary water users and businesses in South Africa while also empowering a professional designation that has historically not received the recognition that its vital role deserves.
Essential part of the water chain ‘Process controllers essentially run the water and wastewater treatment plants across the country by monitoring, operating and managing all the required processes,’ says Dr Lester Goldman, CEO of WISA. ‘Being a key part of the water chain, process controllers will now see their responsibilities aligned like those of engineers and natural scientists, in whose shadow they have operated.’ This lack of visibility is rooted in history. Process controllers started out as ‘operators’ with minimal qualifications, often ending up in water treatment plants as a form of demotion or punishment. ‘It used to be an undesirable job, so instead of being dismissed for whatever reason, you would be sent to that “stinky” place situated somewhere on the outskirts of the municipality,’ says Goldman. However, over the past six decades, their role has significantly evolved along with the increasing complexity of water purification, and the understanding that water and wastewater go through some key processes, which need to be monitored – with many of these now automated. Mandatory registration Nowadays, the designation of process controller requires a minimum NQF 6 qualification and several years of work experience. ‘They are the unsung heroes who ensure that everything functions in the provision of our most precious natural resource,’ says Goldman. ‘Regulation 3630 clearly states that the supervisor of every licenced water or wastewater treatment plant in South Africa must now be a senior process controller and be professionally registered.’ This means that even municipalities with capacity issues can’t opt out of registering their process controller or simply register one of their engineers or scientists instead, as either scenario would make them non-compliant. The reason for specifying ‘senior process controller’ is that experts in engineering or natural science are highly specialised but don’t necessarily have the competency to manage the water treatment processes and run the actual plant itself. Raising the bar Regulation 3630 will go a long way towards professionalising the roughly 4000 process controllers in South Africa. The standardising of their education and training will raise the bar and produce better qualified process controllers. It should also inspire new entrants into the profession and encourage continuous upskilling for those already on this career path. ‘As the Blue Drop and Green Drop reports show, there is a positive correlation between the number of trained professionals and performance in the water sector,’ says Goldman, hinting at improvements in water quality and availability for residential and commercial users. Furthermore, setting compulsory national standards for process controllers will also strengthen accountability in the daily operations of South Africa’s water and wastewater treatment works. This, in turn, should lead to more transparency, better local governance, and ultimately to an improvement in water service delivery. ‘The mandatory registration of process controllers should not be a grudge purchase,’ concludes Goldman. ‘Public and private Water Service Institutions need to budget and fast-track training for this registration, because it’s a crucial investment in the water security of South Africa.’ ENDS MEDIA CONTACT: Idéle Prinsloo, [email protected], 082 573 9219, www.atthatpoint.co.za For more information on WISA please visit: Website: https://wisa.org.za/ X: @WaterInstituteSA LinkedIn: Water Institute of Southern Africa Facebook: Water Institute of Southern Africa |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
September 2025
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed