While the water crisis in Cape Town may be a thing of the past, it has irrevocably changed how the City and province handles water security. This has also opened the conversation to understanding key innovations, policy developments, and behavioural changes essential for advancing water reuse solutions.

These will be some of the key discussion points taking place at the 14th International Water Association (IWA) International Conference on Water Reclamation and Reuse taking place until 20 March 2025.

Water reuse is increasingly at the forefront of realistic alternatives to rapidly diminishing supplies of existing water resources (largely surface and groundwater). It is the process of treating and reusing water from various sources for beneficial purposes. Using the latest technologies, wastewater can be treated to meet drinking water standards.

The Water Research Commission (WRC) and the City of Cape Town, who are the local organisers for the global conference, have entered into a collaborative partnership for the implementation of water reuse and desalination projects, as part of the City’s Water Strategy.

Under this partnership, the WRC’s role is to coordinate and provide research, development, transparency, and accountability for the implementation of the proposed water supply projects, including the Faure New Water scheme.

The international conference will bring together the world’s leading experts together with the private sector and government to share the latest advancements in science, technology and best practice in the areas of water reuse and recycling.

The conference, taking place on the continent again after more than 10 years, is building on the success of the previous IWA water reuse conference held in Namibia in 2013. It also represents an opportunity to further cement Southern Africa’s leadership in addressing the pressing issue of water scarcity through innovative reuse solutions.

Attendees include CEO of the WRC, Dr Jennifer Molwantwa, Water and Sanitation Minister, Pemmy Majodina, Mayco Member of Water and Sanitation, Dr Zahid Badroodien and keynote address from Global Director from the World Bank Group’s Water Global Practice, Saroj Kumar Jha.

IWA Conference Chair, Jay Bhagwan said: “For us, Cape Town and several other towns and cities have given us a wake up call, that just depending on surface water resources and water from further and further away is not the solution. This jolt of realisation, as well as the great examples of many cities in the world who have transitioned this pathway of reuse, offer us hope that charging the path of water reuse and reclamation is now going to be part of our future history.”

Bhagwan said that the timing cannot be more than perfect as “we recover and respond to the Cape Town effect, and during a period where bold decisions are being made to fastrack the direct use of treated effluents both for industry, agriculture and domestic purposes”.

Badroodien, said: “This conference will bring together world leaders who are experts in the field of water reclamation and re-use. As we advance our New Water Programme this water supply as a new water source will be an important component of securing our water future.

“The discussions and lessons learnt will ensure that only the best technology and innovations guide the key investments that we will make as a city.”

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za