South Africa advances water reuse strategies at key symposium amid regional water security push
South Africa faces pressing water scarcity issues that demand innovative and sustainable solutions, placing water reuse at the forefront of the country’s water management strategies. The upcoming Water Reuse Regional Symposium, hosted by the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA), is set to convene key players and experts from across the globe to exchange knowledge and foster advancements in water reclamation and reuse. Scheduled for 29–30 September 2025 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Umhlanga, Durban, this influential event will focus on critical aspects of water reuse, reflecting the nation’s urgent need for resilience and sustainability in water resources.
The 2025 WISA Water Reclamation and Reuse Symposium offers a comprehensive programme designed to address the multifaceted challenges South Africa and the wider region face. Among the key themes are innovative water reuse planning and design, industrial water reuse practices, capacity building for future projects, governance and policy frameworks, and the socio-cultural dimensions of water reuse. Industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners will come together to explore case studies and technical workshops that highlight real-world successes and emerging technologies in the water reuse space.
On the first day, the symposium programme features keynote presentations, including insights from Mike Killick of the City of Cape Town, who will share lessons from the “Day Zero” water crisis, and Sydney Masha from Ethekwini Municipality, presenting on local water reuse initiatives. Additionally, sessions will cover critical topics such as HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) processes in water reuse, industrial best practices with contributions from major players like Coca-Cola and NuWater, and the role of public-private partnerships in advancing water reuse technologies. Attendees will also have the opportunity to tour the Southern Wastewater Treatment Works in Durban on the second day, gaining firsthand experience of operational water reuse systems.
This event marks a vital platform for professionals along the water value chain—from treatment plant managers and government regulators to researchers and investors—to collaborate and shape the future direction of water reuse initiatives. The symposium’s broad stakeholder engagement underscores the critical intersection of technical innovation, policy development, and community involvement necessary for sustainable water management solutions.
The significance of the symposium is underscored in the context of recent developments in water security discourse across Africa. Early in 2025, Cape Town hosted the International Water Association (IWA) Conference on Water Reclamation and Reuse, emphasizing the increasing global and regional consensus on water reuse as essential for future water security amid climate change and urban growth pressures. This gathering highlighted how cities like Windhoek, Namibia, are pioneering water reuse technologies, serving as models for the region.
Moreover, the broader African water security landscape continues to evolve with platforms such as Water Security Africa’s 2025 summit in Johannesburg, which focuses on financing, sustainability, and technological advancements to empower utilities and industries in managing water resources responsibly. These events collectively reflect a growing movement toward circular water economies, emphasising reclamation and reuse practices that extend beyond traditional water management paradigms by integrating industrial, agricultural, and urban water needs.
The WISA symposium’s inclusion of social sciences and stakeholder engagement also speaks to a vital trend—recognising that technical solutions must align with community perspectives and behavioural insights to achieve lasting success. As the water reuse sector grows, understanding the human dimensions, risk management, and governance issues become increasingly important, particularly in addressing public acceptance and regulatory challenges.
Overall, the Water Reuse Regional Symposium stands not only as a technical forum but as a strategic nexus for innovation, collaboration, and policy shaping that could redefine South Africa’s—and the region’s—approach to water scarcity. With water challenges intensifying due to climate change and population pressures, the knowledge and partnerships forged at this event will play a crucial role in driving sustainable water reuse practices forward.