Water reuse is a necessity, not an option, in a country where water resources are under increasing pressure. However, for reuse interventions to be successful, scalability must be a priority.

Tailor-made solutions require institutional cooperation, with clear roles and responsibilities for key stakeholders such as the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), water boards, municipalities, and catchment management agencies. Without this, regulatory and technical oversight will remain fragmented, limiting progress.

South Africa’s diverse water users – from industry to agriculture to municipalities – face unique challenges, especially governance risks. Poor oversight leads to inefficiencies, undermining trust in water reuse initiatives. To address this, robust comparative analysis of current water use practices is needed. Transparent, well-communicated governance will encourage end-users to support and adopt reuse interventions.

Modern water treatment technologies – such as membrane filtration, biological or physico-chemical treatment, clarification, evaporation, disinfection, demineralisation and advanced oxidation – make reuse not only viable but beneficial. Wastewater can be safely treated for use in cooling systems, irrigation, process water, and even groundwater recharge. However, technological feasibility alone is insufficient. Stakeholder trust must be cultivated to drive acceptance of reuse strategies.

Sectoral approaches offer additional opportunities. Industries can integrate water reuse into production processes, while municipalities can convert wastewater treatment plants into biorefineries, producing valuable by-products like biopolymers and thermal energy. Such innovations not only reduce water dependence but also create economic opportunities.

The three Rs

Water reuse is only part of the solution. A broader commitment to the 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – is essential. Industrial waste should be reduced with a greater volume of materials recycled and reused. These interventions are not only a means to promote optimal and effective water use, but it equally provides options for coping with climate variability.

The global water reuse market is growing and evolving, with opportunities that can be categorised into three areas: Reduce, Remediate, Reuse.

Several innovations can be investigated: reducing raw water dependence, achieving discharge compliance, wastewater treatment (remediation), and water use efficiency.

Challenges like tighter water quality standards, new wastewater discharge regulations and issues surrounding scarce water resources impact nearly every industry.

This means that there are now major opportunities to offer cost-effective, innovative solutions designed to reduce water use through improved efficiency. South Africa must seize this moment to lead in water reuse innovation, ensuring long-term water security for future generations.

Water reuse is not just an environmental imperative – it is an economic and social one. By strengthening institutional frameworks, investing in technology, and fostering collaboration, we can transform water reuse into a national priority.

By Dr Harrison Pienaar, chairperson, WISA