The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is working with the community of Stinkwater in Hammanskraal to improve the quality of ground and surface water in the area. The organisation shared some of its findings on the quality of groundwater at a media briefing held in Pretoria on ...
CSIR water experts briefs media on the latest water quality research
Water experts from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) briefs the media on strategies used by a peri-urban community in Hammanskraal to access water, the quality of water accessible to the community and the health risks. CSIR studies also show that some of the common househo...
CSIR and industry collaborate to advance adoption of waste plastics in road construction in SA
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), as well as the plastics and road industries, is working on a demonstration project to evaluate the feasibility of using waste plastic in local road construction. The pr...
A healthy mix of energy sources: The future of energy in South Africa
In the face of global efforts to cap carbon emissions and halt the depletion of finite natural resources, a global energy transition is imperative. The CSIR recently delivered a presentation on energy transition in South Africa to the Portfolio Committee on energy and mineral resources in which C...
CSIR researchers document climate adaptation measures developed by the world’s indigenous communities
For centuries, the world’s indigenous communities have developed climate change mitigation practices that have sustained countless generations. A compendium containing some of these practices will be launched during the Stockholm International Water Institute World Water Week taking place between...
Comprehensive guide on neighbourhood planning and design now available
The Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, officially launched The Neighbourhood Planning and Design Guide on 9 July 2019 in Cape Town. The CSIR was contracted by the Department of Human Settlements to update and revise the previous guide, commonly known as the Red B...
The Neighbourhood Planning and Design Guide (Red Book): Creating Sustainable Human Settlements
The Neighbourhood Planning and Design Guide is a comprehensively updated and revised version of its predecessor, the Guidelines for Human Settlement Planning and Design, also known as the Red Book.
The development of the new Red Book was initiated, coordinated and funded by the national Department of Human Settlements. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was responsible for the management of the development process and the preparation of the final document.
Scientists warn that the environmental release of engineered nanomaterials in household products needs attention
Studies say scientists and industrialists need to collaborate to find ways to reduce risks Some of the most common household products, including sunscreens, hair relaxers, lotions and cleaning detergents, contain engineered nanomaterial ingredients that, when released into the environment, have t...
Research pinpoints SA’s largest water users
A novel research study by the CSIR and Stellenbosch University to quantify water uses nationwide shows that, while South Africa’s largest water user is the agricultural sector, in Gauteng; industrial water use is the highest. “An ability to quantify water use is key to the planning, management an...
Renewables assisted SA to avoid stage 5 and 6 load shedding
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have found that renewable energy assisted in relieving pressure on the constrained South African power system during load shedding in the first quarter of 2019. With South Africa needing to resort to up to stage 4 load shedding in the firs...