Using smart water technologies to support community water governance: a systematic review of global literature and implications for South Africa

Smart water technologies (SWT) are increasingly used to improve water management and infrastructure efficiency. This study systematically reviews global literature on the relationship between SWT and community water governance, with particular attention to lessons relevant to South Africa. Following PRISMA-P guidelines, the review synthesises evidence from peer-reviewed and grey literature sources. Findings indicate that smart technologies can support improved monitoring, transparency, and decision-making in water governance systems. However, effective implementation depends on institutional capacity, community engagement, and governance structures that enable the meaningful use of technological data for sustainable and climate-resilient water management.