South Africa’s ability to achieve its socio-economic development aspirations is largely constrained by the availability of appropriate quality and sufficient water resources. Therefore, the focus of the CSIR’s research on water quality and quantity is to develop water resource decision-support frameworks and tools for improved water resource quality and quantity.

These frameworks utilise multiple criteria decision analysis such as integrated water risk assessments, and its associated enabling technologies, tools and techniques. Our proposed solutions, in support of national efforts, seek to ensure that sufficient and adequate water quantity and resource quality take into account water resource availability, including current and future water demand projections. The research, development and innovation are conducted through the research domains outlined below.

Water risk assessment measures

The South African economy depends largely on the mining and related industry sectors such as energy generation and steel production. These sectors generate high volumes of environmental pollution. Some of the key competencies in this group include monitoring toxicity in raw water, identifying sources of pollution, investigating water and health-related issues and wetland rehabilitation. Research is also directed at the development of suitable water risk assessment measures to promote and improve water resource quality and its associated socio-economic benefits.  A major focus is defining suitable methods for assessing and applying ecological infrastructure, such as wetlands and intact river systems, to promote and improve aquatic ecosystems health and its associated socio-economic benefits.

Contact person:

Dr Marius Claassen: Research group leader
Email: mclaasse@csir.co.za

Dr Melusi Thwala: Research group leader
Email: mthwala@csir.co.za

Hydrosciences

The CSIR hydrosciences research group seeks to address urban, agricultural and environmental groundwater and surface water quantity issues. The team also aims to improve water security in South Africa and regionally, by facilitating sensible and sustainable water resources management and informed decision-making through the provision of appropriate tools and information on all facets of the hydrological cycle. This includes a specific focus on the development of appropriate integrated hydrogeological decision-support tools, i.e. the refinement of existing modelling platforms and the integration of impact models in ecosystem and economic spheres.

Contact person:

Dr Mark Gush: Research group leader
Email: mgush@csir.co.za

Integrated water solutions

The CSIR seeks to establish world-class integrated water assessment facilities and associated water-related research capabilities to promote and improve integrated water management. The focus is on the effective, efficient and sustainable utilisation of water resources, taking into account socio-economic aspirations.

Contact person

Dr Inga Jacobs-Mata: Research group leader
Email: ijacobsmata@csir.co.za