In South Africa, natural springs are vital lifelines for many rural communities, especially in remote areas where formal infrastructure falls short. Springs provide water for irrigation, livestock and crop production, and safeguard food security and economic stability.

Many springs also have deep spiritual significance to communities while also helping maintain biodiversity so that nature’s ecosystems can function properly. 

This factsheet is useful to anyone who has an interest in water security and is an excellent example of a cost-effective and adaptable intervention (located in the Eastern Cape grasslands and coordinated by WWF) that takes biodiversity, the environment and human health and livelihoods into consideration. It could be used by policy makers, NGOs, environmental scientists, educators and social scientists interested in livelihoods and poverty alleviation. 

With a simple graphic showing the various aspects of spring protection, the factsheet explores how securing natural springs is a sustainable approach to water access and is cost-effective and adaptable. When local communities are integrated into planning, implementation and maintenance, springs provide more than just water. Community members are empowered by protecting their water sources while local knowledge and skills are leveraged. Skills are grown in the community and a sense of ownership then goes hand in hand with sustainability. In short, it’s an all-round win for people and nature.

Report by the World Wide Fund for Nature