Many companies are embracing water stewardship in response to water scarcity and climate variability, but sub-standard infrastructure often stands in the way of their progress.
According to SRK Consulting (South Africa) hydrologist Kivana Singh, these infrastructure-related challenges present significant obstacles to companies on their journey toward Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) certification. The international AWS standard is a globally applicable framework for major water users to understand their water use and impacts, and to work towards sustainable water management within their catchments.
“The most common issues we encounter include ageing and poorly maintained infrastructure, inadequate wastewater treatment systems and ineffective stormwater management,” said Singh. “We also find that there are often outdated or insufficient monitoring systems, limited stakeholder engagement in infrastructure planning, and a lack of dirty water containment.”
Water loss and quality concerns
This typically leads to significant water losses and deteriorating water quality. Water losses can arise from leaking pipes, faulty valves and ageing supply systems that are prone to inefficiencies, while water quality deterioration is often driven by failing sewer infrastructure, overloaded or poorly maintained treatment systems, and inadequate containment of pollutants. All these factors can result in the release of contaminated water into the environment, she pointed out.
Water shortages – whether due to infrastructure issues or drought – pose a growing risk to businesses as their supply requirements will not be prioritised over residential users in a crisis, she noted. Given the difficulty and cost of transporting water in bulk when supply disruptions occur, there is a strong incentive for businesses to proactively manage their water-related risks.
“Another important issue is the ineffective management of clean and dirty water flows,” she explained. “In many operations, infrastructure for diverting clean stormwater away from activity areas is either insufficient or poorly maintained.”
At the same time, she continued, dirty water generated from high-risk zones such as workshops, wash bays or chemical storage areas is not always properly contained or treated. This results in the mixing of clean and contaminated water, which can enter surface or groundwater systems and cause pollution.
Better monitoring needed
“Reliable monitoring infrastructure is also a critical gap,” she said. “Without accurate, real-time information on water quantity and quality, it becomes difficult to make informed decisions or to demonstrate compliance with specific AWS criteria. This often stems from outdated or insufficient metering, and limited automation.”
Singh also noted that stakeholder engagement, particularly in infrastructure planning and development, is often overlooked. Without collaboration among authorities, communities and other water users, opportunities for shared knowledge and coordinated action are missed. This limits the potential for efficient, cost-effective and sustainable solutions.
Poor infrastructure a key challenge to effective water stewardship
Many companies are embracing water stewardship in response to water scarcity and climate variability, but sub-standard infrastructure often stands in the way of their progress.
According to SRK Consulting (South Africa) hydrologist Kivana Singh, these infrastructure-related challenges present significant obstacles to companies on their journey toward Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) certification. The international AWS standard is a globally applicable framework for major water users to understand their water use and impacts, and to work towards sustainable water management within their catchments.
“The most common issues we encounter include ageing and poorly maintained infrastructure, inadequate wastewater treatment systems and ineffective stormwater management,” said Singh. “We also find that there are often outdated or insufficient monitoring systems, limited stakeholder engagement in infrastructure planning, and a lack of dirty water containment.”
Water loss and quality concerns
This typically leads to significant water losses and deteriorating water quality. Water losses can arise from leaking pipes, faulty valves and ageing supply systems that are prone to inefficiencies, while water quality deterioration is often driven by failing sewer infrastructure, overloaded or poorly maintained treatment systems, and inadequate containment of pollutants. All these factors can result in the release of contaminated water into the environment, she pointed out.
Water shortages – whether due to infrastructure issues or drought – pose a growing risk to businesses as their supply requirements will not be prioritised over residential users in a crisis, she noted. Given the difficulty and cost of transporting water in bulk when supply disruptions occur, there is a strong incentive for businesses to proactively manage their water-related risks.
“Another important issue is the ineffective management of clean and dirty water flows,” she explained. “In many operations, infrastructure for diverting clean stormwater away from activity areas is either insufficient or poorly maintained.”
At the same time, she continued, dirty water generated from high-risk zones such as workshops, wash bays or chemical storage areas is not always properly contained or treated. This results in the mixing of clean and contaminated water, which can enter surface or groundwater systems and cause pollution.
Better monitoring needed
“Reliable monitoring infrastructure is also a critical gap,” she said. “Without accurate, real-time information on water quantity and quality, it becomes difficult to make informed decisions or to demonstrate compliance with specific AWS criteria. This often stems from outdated or insufficient metering, and limited automation.”
Singh also noted that stakeholder engagement, particularly in infrastructure planning and development, is often overlooked. Without collaboration among authorities, communities and other water users, opportunities for shared knowledge and coordinated action are missed. This limits the potential for efficient, cost-effective and sustainable solutions.
“The reason the AWS standard is so useful is that it provides a globally recognised framework that helps organisations manage water sustainably at both site and catchment levels,” she said. “Built on principles of continuous improvement, it focuses on five key outcomes: good water governance; sustainable water balance; good water quality status; healthy ecosystems and biodiversity; and safe access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).”
She argued that, by encouraging companies to understand their water use, to assess risks and opportunities and to engage stakeholders, AWS promotes a holistic approach to water management.
“This is not a tick-the-box exercise,” she emphasised. “It’s a proactive, evolving process that aligns infrastructure with long-term sustainability goals.”
Following a common framework like the AWS standard, organisations are guided in identifying and addressing infrastructure gaps, such as wastewater treatment upgrades, enhancing stormwater control and implementing pollution prevention measures.
“The standard also emphasises the importance of monitoring and data systems, enabling better decision-making and transparency,” said Singh. “Moreover, AWS reinforces the value of stakeholder engagement, aligning closely with the National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998), which calls for integrated, equitable water management and public participation.”
She explained that the SRK Consulting (SA) team of AWS-credentialed specialists draw on their diverse technical backgrounds to support clients on their water stewardship journey.
“We assist organisations in aligning their water management practices with stewardship principles,” she said. “This helps to achieve meaningful improvements both within their operations and across the catchments they rely on.”
Note: This article represents the author’s opinion and is not published on behalf of the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS). The author holds an AWS Professional Credential, and the article helps fulfil their Continuing Contribution Units requirements. For more information about AWS or the AWS Professional Credentialing Program please visit https://a4ws.org/.
“The reason the AWS standard is so useful is that it provides a globally recognised framework that helps organisations manage water sustainably at both site and catchment levels,” she said. “Built on principles of continuous improvement, it focuses on five key outcomes: good water governance; sustainable water balance; good water quality status; healthy ecosystems and biodiversity; and safe access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).”
She argued that, by encouraging companies to understand their water use, to assess risks and opportunities and to engage stakeholders, AWS promotes a holistic approach to water management.
“This is not a tick-the-box exercise,” she emphasised. “It’s a proactive, evolving process that aligns infrastructure with long-term sustainability goals.”
Following a common framework like the AWS standard, organisations are guided in identifying and addressing infrastructure gaps, such as wastewater treatment upgrades, enhancing stormwater control and implementing pollution prevention measures.
“The standard also emphasises the importance of monitoring and data systems, enabling better decision-making and transparency,” said Singh. “Moreover, AWS reinforces the value of stakeholder engagement, aligning closely with the National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998), which calls for integrated, equitable water management and public participation.”
She explained that the SRK Consulting (SA) team of AWS-credentialed specialists draw on their diverse technical backgrounds to support clients on their water stewardship journey.
“We assist organisations in aligning their water management practices with stewardship principles,” she said. “This helps to achieve meaningful improvements both within their operations and across the catchments they rely on.”
Note: This article represents the author’s opinion and is not published on behalf of the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS). The author holds an AWS Professional Credential, and the article helps fulfil their Continuing Contribution Units requirements. For more information about AWS or the AWS Professional Credentialing Program please visit https://a4ws.org/.
