Event Blogs

Case 1: Promoting synergy in the water, energy and food sectors

Case owner: Water Research Commission

The Water Research Commission (WRC) established the WEF Lighthouse for integrated research, planning and development in the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus, for South Africa and the Southern Africa region. Since 2012 the WRC R&D Branch has organized various activities under the banner of the WEF Lighthouse. The concept offers an opportunity for stakeholders, to promote cross-sectoral, systematic and integrated management of resources, and address synergies and trade-offs in the WEF nexus.

Case 2: Creating more benefits from Assessments

Case owner: Blue Deal Programme

Several assessments are performed to establish the performance of water and sanitation services, like the Green Drop and Blue Drop Assessments on the performance, compliance and efficiency of wastewater and water treatment works (WWTW’s and WTW’s), and the  Municipal Structural Self-Assessments (MuSSA). The Blue Deal South Africa Partnership aims to improve the performance of WWTW’s in several municipalities, and disseminate the lessons learnt to other municipalities. How can the Green Drop Assessments and MuSSA-Assessments be used for a model-based replication of the Blue Deal results?

Case 3: Empowering water professionals: the importance of training and lifelong learning

Case owner: World Water Academy

Municipalities are faced with many challenges of water supply, wastewater and urban water management.  Municipalities seem to rely more and more on administrators and finance managers, but water engineers and operators are of great importance when it comes to critical water and wastewater management and maintenance issues. How could lifelong learning and practical training of water professionals empower engineers, operators and managers to help improve SA’s water quality?

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Case 4: How to diminish the impact of solid waste on water?

Case owner: Blue Deal Programme

Solid waste is becoming a growing problem, also for water. Dumping waste alongside rivers and streams deteriorates the water quality. When discharged into sewers, it clogs manholes and leads to overflow of the sewers. Especially in informal settlements, solid waste management becomes a huge task for local municipalities. Are there innovative ideas to persuade communities not to throw their trash ‘over the fence’? How could more environmental awareness within the communities be created and sustained?

Case 5: Indigenous Knowledge Systems to Respond to Water Vector Diseases

Case owner: Water Research Commission

Climate change is leading to changing weather patterns, which will most likely effect the occurrence and distribution of a number of water vector diseases. This might change non-endemic areas into endemic areas, and thereby putting communities at risk. How could medicinal plants and other indigenous knowledge systems in communities be used and stimulated, in order for communities to better adapt and cope with climate change and reduce their vulnerability to water vector diseases?

Case 6: Safe Stormwater Use for communities near Roodeplaat Dam

Case owner: Department of Water and Sanitation

Stormwater runoff is often lost into the water drainage system without being filtered, thereby polluting surface water resources with debris. Roodeplaat Dam is an example of such a water resource, currently polluted by debris from stormwater drainage from influent rivers. At the same time, water availability is a challenge in South Africa, and rainfall is more irregular by changing weather patterns. How could the Department of Water and Sanitation use the stormwater runoff as part of the current water system, without decreasing water quality of the dam, to increase water supply to communities?

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