Case 1: Solutions to Acid Mine Drainage

Case owner:  African Circular Economy Network

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is the flow or seepage of polluted water from old mining areas – particularly pervasive in mining areas of South Africa, rendering critical water sources useless at best and toxic at worst in a country that already has critical water shortages. Solutions exist to remediate and harvest this polluted water for the benefit of the citizenry. Yet, the country instead spends billions of Rands securing water from neighbouring countries to meet the water demands. How can we implement local solutions for local opportunities that are more sustainable?

Case 2: Water Security within the Green Hydrogen Industry

Case owner: Talbot

South Africa is emerging as a promising player in the global green hydrogen market with its abundant renewable energy resource potential. The green hydrogen market is projected to contribute 3.6% to South Africa’s GDP and contribute to the possibility of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Collectively, these make for an attractive solution to the climate crisis. Water is an integral part of the green hydrogen process as the primary raw material for production. However, South Africa is a water-scarce country with a water industry under immense pressure.

How can South Africa leverage sustainable water supply sources and technology to reduce its reliance on freshwater resources?

Case 3: Business cases using Water Footprint Compensation funds

Case owner: Blue Deal South Africa Partnership (Dutch Water Authorities)

The Water Footprint methodology, developed two decades ago, tracks water usage across production chains. As this methodology evolves, the emerging Water Footprint Compensation platform offers a way for industries to mitigate their water consumption impacts. This includes possibilities like protecting and restoring water systems. NGOs, such as DUCT or Adopt the River, already contribute to these efforts by preserving rivers and dams. These organisations can leverage the platform to develop viable business cases. They can attract investment funds from industries eager to compensate for their water footprint, creating a sustainable model that benefits both the environment and corporate partners. How can NGOs harness this opportunity effectively?

Case 4: Improving Water Security By Protecting Strategic Water Source Areas

Case owner: Water Research Commission

Throughout the last decade, natural disasters in South Africa have become more and more prevalent. Increased frequency and intensity of flooding have caused widespread damage in the Eastern Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal, and the Western Cape. At the same time, extended droughts have recently stifled growth in the Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay metros. Evidence shows that investing in and effectively managing Ecological Infrastructure (EI) could have significantly reduced the impact of such natural disasters. The WRC ecological infrastructure asset in the water sector, Strategic Water Source Areas, could provide a good gateway for protecting water-related EI, but this will require careful planning to achieve in an equitable way. This case seeks to produce an integrated approach to protecting South Africa’s Strategic Water Source Areas.

Case 5: Integrating Innovative Sanitation Technologies In School Settings

Case owner: Department of Water and Sanitation

This case study investigates integrating the innovative Larvae’d toilet system with existing WASH solutions in South African rural schools. Despite extensive initiatives, over 3,300 schools still rely on unsafe pit latrines, a legacy of apartheid that continues to endanger student safety. The proposed integration aims to replace these inadequate facilities with sustainable, hygienic sanitation solutions, leveraging community involvement and recycled materials. This initiative seeks to enhance student health and safety and explores viable business models for suppliers and schools, promising significant improvements in public health and environmental impact.