Welcome to the 10th Wetskills Challenge in South Africa!
We were back in the breathtaking coastal city of Cape Town, for the 10th Wetskills Challenge in South Africa. It was held from March 7 to March 20, 2025, at the University of Cape Town and in conjunction with the IWA Water Reuse and Reclamation Conference, with the grand award ceremony at the Cape Town International Convention Centre!
Joining in this event were 20 participants: from Ghana, Zimbabwe, The Netherlands and South Africa. Welcome!!
Follow us in this unforgettable two-week program that brought together vibrant, multidisciplinary teams. Our mission? To develop groundbreaking solutions for real-world challenges presented by our esteemed case owners from across the water sector—industry leaders, government agencies, NGOs, and knowledge institutes.
A unique learning experience where you will tackle real-life water challenges with your own team!
More information
For additional information please contact Craig Tinashe Tanyanyiwa, craig.tinashe@wetskills.com or Johan Oost, johan.oost@wetskills.com.
Case owner: World Water Academy
Water scarcity and securing reliable water sources is a growing global issue, exacerbated by climate change. Wastewater treatment plants offer an alternative: can treated effluent be repurposed to meet growing water demands? This challenge explores how Water 4.0 technologies – leveraging digitalization, automation, and decentralized water management – can enhance water reuse. Participants will develop a decision-making framework to assess effluent reuse, considering technological investments, water quality, business models, and stakeholder management. The outcome will inform training needs for water professionals and create a structured program to ensure effective Water 4.0 adoption.
Case owner: Amatola Water
Amatola Water, a bulk water services provider, has a Water Conservation and Water Demand Management (WCWDM) Strategy that seeks to reduce non-revenue water as part of its commitment to water service delivery assurance and ensuring both financial and environmental sustainability. Illegal connections are a significant contributor to non-revenue water, especially in peri-urban and rural areas with no formal development plans, leading communities to find their own water access solutions. As Amatola Water is responsible for community and household water supply, this leads to an intractable social problem of water needs and / or service demands, that is not being met by relevant authorities. This question has operational, financial and water resource management implications.
Case owner: Department of Water and Sanitation
The Berg River Estuary, a vital ecological and socio-economic resource on South Africa’s West Coast, is increasingly impacted by metal contamination from industrial, agricultural, and urban sources. Recent studies reveal concerning levels of metals such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and iron (Fe) accumulating in estuarine sediments, posing risks to aquatic life and commercial fisheries. This case challenges participants to develop a science-based strategy for mitigating metal contamination, while balancing ecological sustainability and economic feasibility. Solutions should focus on source control, sediment remediation, and long-term monitoring using innovative technologies.
Pitch & Poster
Pitch & Poster
Pitch & Poster
Case owner: Blue Deal South Africa
If solid waste isn’t managed properly, it becomes an growing environmental issue, with problems for soil, rivers, dams and ground water. On the other hand, recycling of solid waste will enhance economy, create new jobs and strengthen the sustainability of the planet. This case is about developing a so-called ‘Solid Waste Flow Diagram’ (SWFD) and pilot it on Grabouw, a town within the Theewaterskloof Local Municipality, with a fast growing population living in informal settlements. What information is available? Mapping the solid waste journey, from its sources to its final end points? What actions can be derived form this SWFD to diminish the diffuse pollution to the environment and increase profitable recycling?
Case owner: Water Research Commission
Access to safe drinking water and dignified sanitation remains a significant challenge in many African countries, particularly in rural and isolated areas. Some of the key challenges are water scarcity, poor infrastructure and the lack of maintenance of existing infrastructure. Water and sanitation projects require significant investment and many rural areas lack adequate government funding to support large-scale water infrastructure development. What can be done to improve access to affordable water and sanitation for rural communities in Southern Africa in order to deliver impact at scale?
Pitch & Poster
Pitch & Poster
