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The purpose of the Water Futures theme is achieving a sustainable balance between the use of water to meet society’s needs and long-term protection of water resources. With this in mind, the group conducts research to assess and manage water resources to ensure an optimal supply of quality water to users, while ensuring the integrity of the resource base.
To achieve these objectives, the theme encompasses three research groups, i.e.
Water Ecosystems and Groundwater Sciences research groups focus their research on the respective resource bases. The complex and transitional state of water governance in the country and in Africa supports the growth of the Water Resource Governance Systems research group. The Water and Human Health research group currently conducts research “to ensure that water is fit for use for man and the environment”.
This research theme seeks to develop a reliable predictive understanding of the outcomes in terms of human well-being, aquatic ecosystem integrity, and security of water supply, to different sectoral patterns, locations, levels, temporal scales and systems of water use in South and southern Africa. The work within the water futures research theme seeks to unlock the potential benefit of the resource for the betterment of society at large and is closely aligned with South Africa’s national strategy and priorities, as well as with the CSIR mandate and NRE research strategy.
The CSIR’s current NRE strengths in water-related science span the spectrum from policy development to the development of implementation plans relating to water ecosystem assessment and management, water and human health, wastewater treatment and groundwater assessment and management.
The water futures research theme directs its research through three key research questions; questions that define the value chain of resource-dependent development.
- What is the condition (quantity, quality, spatial and temporal availability) of our water resources and how do anthropogenic activities and other factors change this condition?
- What are the implications of short-, medium- and long-term impacts of changes in water quantity and water quality for our water resources and for society?
- What policies, trade-offs or other interventions (e.g. new infrastructure, new institutions, governance structures, etc.) are needed to ensure that society achieves sustainable water resource use?
- Each high-level research question is segmented into a series of co-ordinated research endeavours that deal with more specific issues.
Current research projects include:
- Development of a thorough understanding of the concepts and components that comprise “good governance” and develop an approach to strengthen governance in water resource management agencies and decision-making processes
- Field test and refine the use of specific geophysical exploration techniques to improve our understanding of fractured rock aquifers and multi-layered aquifers in South Africa, as a basis for improved exploitation and management
- Develop and refine new methods for testing and evaluating the quality of water in South African water resources
- Develop, test and refine a set of instruments that will provide an effective policy framework for conservation of South Africa’s freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity
- Develop a thorough understanding of virtual water concepts and examine the ways that these can contribute to the food security debate
- Evaluate the importance of diarrhoeal diseases associated with water supplies and develop a Field Manual to assist field studies
- Conservation of freshwater ecosystems in South Africa
- Technical studies to evaluate the feasibility of treating industrial and municipal waste waters for pollution abatement
Existing links with universities and research organisations are continuously strengthened as these are a critically important facet of the ability to source new ideas and technological approaches, maintain a international profile while simultaneously keeping up to date with international developments, and identify potential new sources of collaborative research funding.
Formal research partnerships are forged with specific counterpart research groups in South African Government departments, universities and industries, as well as with specific research groups that provide practical applications for knowledge, competence and skills, while also identifying specific problem areas that require research.
Specific partnerships and other collaborative arrangements include:
- National Government Departments: DWAF, DEAT, DME, DoH as well as SANBI and SANParks. Areas of synergy include: river health programme; water resource classification system; aquatic biodiversity conservation; skills development in aquatic ecology; conservation planning – aquatic ecosystems; water governance systems; groundwater vulnerability assessments; groundwater assessment – fractured aquifers; and human health aspects of water quality.
- Water Research Commission (WRC) Areas of synergy include research on water resource management, effluent treatment, aquatic ecosystems, water quality assessment and conservation planning; and research strategies for the water sector.
- Large private sector industries such as Sasol and Eskom. Areas of shared interest include the South African mercury inventory; the country’s air quality emission inventory; and mercury in coal.
- University of Pretoria, University of Cape Town, University of Stellenbosch, University of Venda, University of Johannesburg, University of North-West, University of Western Cape, University of KwaZulu-Natal Areas of synergy include freshwater biodiversity research; development of water quality field kits; research on human health-related water quality issues; compile South African mercury inventory; human health risk assessment; aquifer recharge methodologies; groundwater research in fractured aquifers; development of a novel
- AFLP methodology; and development of pollution mitigation options.
- SADC Water Sector where NRE liaise with SADC water management institutions.
- Regional Research Alliance (RRA) – comprises Botswana, Zimbabwe & RSA.
- Global Research Alliance (GRA) where collaboration would typically entail science and technology based water scenarios for Africa.
Global Water Partnership (GWP) with whom collaborative research is done on governance and water institutions.
- BGR (German Geological Survey) who conducts geophysical techniques for groundwater assessment.
- Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), a close partner with whom collaborative research includes: water governance issues – especially in developing countries; institutional effectiveness analysis; and transboundary water resource management.
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NIAR) - compilation of atmospheric emission data for South African inventory of mercury emissions.
Theme convenor and technical information: Dr Marius Claassen
Communication and media: Wiida Basson
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