Water & Wastewater Projects for a Healthy Economy

The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), has recently conducted a study on the impact that water and wastewater projects can have on the economy of the countries that implement them.

Water is likely our most precious resource with no country being able to operate on any level without an adequate supply of it. Here in South Africa, and in many developing countries, it (or the lack of it) can be closely tied to the livelihoods of the people living there, and on a much larger scale, the health of that nation’s economy.

One only need look at the water shortages in Cape Town in 2018 to see the impact that water shortages had on society as a whole, and how a lack of supply meant strain on supply chains, heavy restrictions on usage, and in many instances, massive costs and slowed production for businesses in affected areas.

Water Supply on a Personal Level

Economies are powered by people, and without even the most basic of resources, water, people cannot contribute to a healthy economy.

Furthermore, inadequate supply and management through comprehensive water and wastewater projects puts a financial strain on affected communities where programmes need to supplement any lack of sanitation, the supply of clean water, and effective water management.

People in such situations see a drastic decline in general health and livelihood and raised costs of healthcare, furthermore, more time is spent in these often-rural areas on gathering and storing water, detracting from the ability to positively contribute to the economy.

The trouble here is two-fold, in that people affected in such a way not only place additional strain on the economy in terms of sanitation and healthcare costs that are unsustainable, but also contribute less to the economy since they simply don’t have the means to.

Water Supply on an Economic Level

But adequate supply through effective water and wastewater projects has a wider impact on the lives of people in remote communities, it can have an economic impact that essentially affects millions, if not tens of millions of people, businesses, and communities.

Let’s look at it from a more positive perspective.

Adequate water supply to all communities ensures improved health, lowered healthcare costs, and saved time as mentioned above.

But if these communities are uplifted through general access to clean water, the knock-on effect brings certainty, a rise in productivity, and an overall boost in efficiency across all economic sectors; information backed by the study conducted by WHO and SIWI.

Less time, energy, and thought are expended by entities and people in these communities on sourcing fresh water and living healthy lives, which ultimately results in higher productivity and prosperity for them.

SIWI goes so far in this study to suggest that adequate supply and management of water can eradicate poverty in developing nations.

What Stands in the Way of Water & Wastewater Management?

So why is water supply such an issue in countries like South Africa? What stops us from implementing effective treatment plans that ensure adequate supply for all areas of the country?

Put simply, it is a matter of investment. Comprehensive treatment plants and supply networks are not cheap in terms of their investment, requiring highly specialised infrastructure and equipment.

It is also a matter of who should be investing in this infrastructure. Should it be the private sector or the public sector? Regardless of what our individual opinions may be here, we can probably agree that each sector looks to the other in this regard. SIWI and numerous other agencies believe that the responsibility falls on both.

It is the responsibility of governments. It is the responsibility of business owners. On a much wider scale, it is also the responsibility of every person to enact responsibility when consuming, using, and recycling water.

When we look at the overwhelming benefits of correct water management and how it positively impacts economies on a short-and-long term basis, these benefits substantially outweigh the costs of implementing correct management systems and infrastructure.

A healthy economy brought on by adequate supply of clean water would see extensive prosperity for investors, not just the communities their efforts uplift.

Contact Tractionel for Details

Tractionel is a leading and longstanding provider of specialised electrical services and solutions for water and wastewater treatment and management that go a long way towards preserving this most precious of resources.

If you would like to know more about our solutions, be sure to visit our website for details.