Water recycling essential for SA where more water needed due to rapid urbanisation - Water Research Commission

CAPE TOWN - Water recycling and South Africa’s ability to reuse water is top of the agenda this week.

That’s as the 14th International Water Association International Conference on Water Reclamation and Reuse is underway in Cape Town.

Experts, policymakers, and industry leaders are gathered in the city to discuss cutting-edge advancements in water reuse practices and sustainable water management.

South Africa is one of the countries considered a water-scarce country.

Water Research Commission CEO Dr Jennifer Molwantwa said that water reuse or recycling was essential for countries like South Africa where more people need water due to rapid urbanisation.

Molwantwa said that industries like mining and agriculture could play an important role in recycling water to ensure that water was not wasted.

"So we really have to start taking a step back and say we have to be responsible providers, we have to be responsible users, we have to be responsible citizenry around this valuable, finite resource."

The conference will run until Thursday at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.