Keywords: water resource management; technology practices; urban

Water scarcity is becoming the new social norm for many households and businesses in South Africa. Limited rainfall combined with a growing water demand has created a situation where water demand outweighs supply. This unbalance between water demand and supply has several economic, environmental, and health-related implications. From the household side, mitigation of water scarcity may involve the adoption of technologies that might contribute to reducing indoor and outdoor water demand and promoting the reuse of treated wastewater through the implementation of grey water collection, storage, and treatment systems.

This WEP research project explores a set of holistic approaches that combine a variety of mitigation measures that aim to promote improved water resource management in urban settings. To meet the various objectives set in the National Development Plan 2030, South Africa has to jointly achieve various objectives: promote economic growth and environmental protection, reduce inequality and poverty, reduce unemployment, and generate innovation that supports social cohesion. All these objectives are influenced by the extent to which water quantity and quality are managed in the country.

Keen to get involved? WPE is always looking for partners for our research projects. If you are an academic doing similar work (or wanting to do) or an organisation wanting to support our work with funding and/or collaborations, get in touch. Contact the project lead(s) of this project directly or email us at wpe@uct.ac.za.