Tackle water issues in rural KZN by going off-the-grid: WISA

It says research needs to be done into how engineering can best serve these areas without relying on metros.  

The institute's Dan Naidoo says the benefit of exploring and investing in independent water supplies, like boreholes in rural areas, is that there will be less pressure on a metro's water grid.

''Many of the rural areas lack access to basic water and sanitation. There's no reason why they should have a different level of service, so getting that service there where it is a different type of engineered solution is available. 

''People should have access to drinking water in any situation, which is safe to drink and then there are knock-on effect of good health go hand in hand with the supply,'' he said.

The institute will host a water management conference in Durban later this month.

(Photo: Steve Bhengu)