Rand Water’s Water Wise is rolling out its Drop-by-Drop Water Conservation Outreach project in the townships of Soweto, Alexandra and Tembisa – areas identified as having particularly high water consumption.

South Africa faces a growing water challenge driven by shortages, leakages, and infrastructure decay. Many township communities experience these challenges daily from burst pipes and sewage spills to unreliable water supply. For countless families, these issues are not only inconveniences but threats to dignity, health, and livelihoods.

In a country where every drop counts, Rand Water’s Water Wise team has taken its message beyond billboards and into the classrooms and very homes of residents. The Drop by Drop Water Conservation Outreach kicked off in Orlando, Soweto, as the first of six planned activations across Gauteng.

The first activation took place at Uncle Tom’s community centre, where community members engaged in open discussions with experts and local leaders to explore practical ways to improve water delivery and accountability. On the second day, the team moved door-to-door, helping households identify opportunities to reduce wastage as well as find and repair leaks in their own homes.

“We want to bridge the gap between households and bulk water supply. We aim to transform frustration into solutions and community complaints into coordinated action. Bringing together residents, youth, entrepreneurs, government leaders and non-governmental organisations, Water Wise aims to inspire a radical shift toward responsible water management,” explains Mulalo Ramulondi, coordinator, Water Wise.

The initiative was met with enthusiasm and has fostered trust and community ownership. “We’ve received many positive messages from residents who’ve learned how to report leaks or read their water meters for the first time. Real change is happening,” adds Ramulondi.

By equipping households with the tools and knowledge to act, the programme aims to ensure that empowerment continues long after the event concludes.

Key quotes from day

“Today’s gathering is not just another event – it is a call to action. We are not here to talk politics or make promises; we are here to work, to get our feet on the ground, and to walk with the community towards change. Through Drop by Drop campaign (spearheaded by Water Wise), we are showing that every action – no matter how small – counts. Drop by drop, we can change mindsets, we can change behaviours, and we can secure our water future. We don’t have a water crisis, we have water challenges, and it starts with how we manage and value this precious resource. Water does not need us – we need water. It starts with me, it starts with you, and together we can make a difference.”

Mulalo Ramulondi, Water Wise coordinator, Rand Water

“Each drop saved is a step toward protecting our rivers, streams and wetlands – the very sources that sustain us. We cannot wait for government alone; we are the ones polluting our streams, we are the ones who must clean them. By working together – communities, government, and private partners – we can change behaviour, protect our environment, and build a legacy of responsibility. This is not a once-off initiative; it is a movement to safeguard water for generations to come. Drop by drop, we can make a difference.”

Mbuyiswa Makhubela, general manager: Corporate Services, Rand Water

“Too often we walk past a leaking pipe or a broken tap and do nothing. Each of us must change how we use water at home – by fixing leaks, reporting bursts and using water wisely. Water is not endless; it is a limited, shared resource that sustains life, livelihoods and the economy. This Drop by Drop initiative brings together the Department of Water and Sanitation, Rand Water, Johannesburg Water and the City of Johannesburg to say: the time for ignoring is over. We need to rethink how we treat water and take action – in our homes, in our streets and in our communities. If we do that, we can secure water for our future generations.”

Justice Maluleke, Gauteng Provincial Head at the Department of Water and Sanitation

“The water issue is life threatening when compared to energy. And most of us who have grown in the rural areas and those who are born before us have grown even without using the form of energy we’re using today. But none of us has grown without water. That’s how we need to think about the water and water seriously. Treating and distributing water is one of the most expensive processes in public service. Every litre lost is money wasted – it’s like baking three trays of scones, losing one on the way, and still having to pay for all the ingredients. That is why innovation and technology are essential to closing this gap. The CSIR is driving innovation to turn these challenges into opportunities – from recovering valuable minerals in acid mine drainage to producing sustainable fertilisers from wastewater. This is circular thinking: transforming waste into value. But science alone isn’t enough. We need collaboration between researchers, government, business and communities to take these solutions to market and into everyday life. We already have the technology to secure our water future – what we need now is collective action. Drop by drop, decision by decision, we can protect the most precious resource we have.”

Dr Jeff Baloyi, senior researcher, CSIR

“Through this initiative, we can have a better society – a society that can save water, a society that can also respect water, because there’s coming a time whereby some of us, when we open water, we won’t have water. The more you see a leak, the more that risk increases. We need to work together in ensuring that we avoid water losses. In Soweto, we’ve seen how simple interventions can make a real difference. Through our retrofitting initiative in Orlando West and East – where leaking toilets, taps and basins were replaced – the City managed to save millions of litres of water. But saving water isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s about people. When communities report leaks, install water-efficient devices, and harvest rainwater, they become active partners in sustainability. Together, we can build a Soweto that values and protects every drop for future generations.”

Xolisa Bonkolo, senior engineering technician, Johannesburg Water

“Our start is to educate, it is to capacitate, and it is for us to showcase the part for the opportunities ahead. If you’re unaware of who EWSETA is, briefly, we are a Skills Development Authority. We build, we plan, and we manage skills development and training in the energy and water sector. If we are to have a sustainable future, the decisions we make today in skills development are crucial. In our townships, we face a shortage of qualified water and sanitation artisans, while experienced workers are leaving the sector. By training new plumbers, technicians and water quality specialists from within our communities, we not only address unemployment but also empower people to solve the very challenges they live with daily. Skills development is not just about jobs – it’s about building the capacity of our communities to secure their own future.”

Nkanyezi Blose, project manager, EWSETA