Managing Risks of COVID-19 Pandemic and Climate Change in the Delivery of Safe Drinking Water in South Africa

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by their nature require a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach to accelerate implementation. Reaching the SDGs by 2030 has undoubtedly escaped the African continent. Major risk factors for this shortfall include climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, both contributing negatively to the social determinants of health. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted what was always obvious but taken for granted; that water is more than a commodity, but it can mean life or death to affected communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, frequent hand washing proved to be an essential means to minimize transmission of the virus. The impact of COVID-19 on communities varied depending on neighborhood, the physical environment, and social support networks including access to health care. Climate change has always been on the radar of researchers and policy makers but a reality to disadvantaged communities. Therefore, climate change remains an integral part of the social determinants of health, just as COVID-19 will continue to be part of us as we learn to live with it. South Africa is a water scarce country. The effect of climate change in a country with low water reserves can compel authorities to reclaim used water as a regular source for the population. In the not too distant future, use of reclaimed water will be necessary in some regions of the country to address water shortages. This process is likely to introduce a chemical health risk to humans consuming or using the treated water. Chemicals used for water treatment have to be safe for human use, not affect the environment, and be cost-effective. This proposed partnership aims to address self-sufficiency of the South African water industry against importing critical water treatment chemicals as well as addressing the potential impacts of climate change and future pandemics on water supply chains.