In a bold move towards ensuring a sustainable water future, a delegation from the City of Tshwane recently undertook a pivotal five-day visit to Aarhus Vand in Denmark.
This collaboration is part of the City’s ambitious plan to develop a holistic Water Security Vision and Strategy 2050 aimed at building a water-secure future for Tshwane to support growth and development.
The team represents seven City departments, including the Office of the Chief Operations Officer, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Water and Sanitation Department, Regional Operations and Coordination Department, Communication, Marketing and Events Department, Economic Development and Spatial Planning Department and City Strategy and Organisational Performance Department, and engaged in intensive discussions coupled with practical site visits demonstrating innovative approaches to urban water management.
The delegation’s primary objectives were to refine the approach to develop the Water Security Vision and to finalise a set of five supporting subvisions that will frame the strategy as follows:
- People: Building partnerships and fostering a conscious water society
- Governance: Establishing frameworks for effective water resource management
- Growth: Ensuring environmentally friendly growth that is supported by a sustainable supply of water and sanitation services
- Water services: Enhancing service delivery related to water, sanitation and storm water services
- Environment: Promoting environmental and biodiversity programmes and initiatives in water resource management
During their stay, City of Tshwane officials visited two suburbs in Aarhus to observe first-hand how effective storm water management and city planning can mitigate urban flooding and enhance water quality. These practical examples are expected to inform strategies back home as the City grapples with high levels of non-revenue water, inefficient waste water treatment processes and high water consumption.
“This partnership with Aarhus and its water utility, Aarhus Vand, is crucial for us,” said Lutske Newton, the Project Manager responsible for the Water Resilient Cities Programme, a city-to-city collaboration with the City of Aarhus designed to improve service delivery in Tshwane’s water sector. “The insights gained during such missions help us identify ways of tackling our local challenges more effectively, ensuring that we provide clean and reliable water for all residents.”
The collaboration, which started in March 2023, is funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and aims to address pressing issues, such as water loss, inefficient waste water treatment and the impacts of climate change on local water resources, with the aim of making Tshwane a water-conscious society.
The urgency for effective solutions has never been greater. As the City moves forward with its Water Security Strategy, the collaboration with Aarhus Vand serves as a beacon of hope for sustainable urban water management. The lessons learnt from Denmark will be instrumental in shaping a resilient future for Tshwane, ensuring that it can meet the needs of its growing population while safeguarding its precious water resources.
With this strategic approach, the City aims not only to secure an adequate water supply but also to adapt to future climate challenges, setting an example for cities around the world facing similar issues.