As South Africa enters its high-demand summer season, the Water Research Commission (WRC) is warning: the country’s water challenge is not just about drought or aging pipes, it’s about behaviour and timely action. Municipalities are currently scrambling to fix leaks, illegal connections and decaying infrastructure, while hot weather and outdoor living drive up demand.

With more than 37% of treated water lost daily to leaks, theft and waste, and average household consumption at 233 litres per person per day (well above the global average of 173 litres), the margin for error this summer is slim. If trends continue, demand may outstrip supply by 17% by 2030.

That’s why the WRC has launched a bold new campaign: “A WaterWise Nation”, a sweeping national effort to shift South Africa’s water habits, mindsets, and values so that citizens Act Today and Sustain Tomorrow.

“We’re not just running out of water,” says WRC CEO Dr Jennifer Molwantwa. “We’re running out of time to change how we use it. Every litre we waste this summer is a litre our children may not have tomorrow.”

Why this Summer matters more

• Peak water use: Summer brings higher temperatures, longer days and increased outdoor water use (gardens, pools, car-washes).
• Infrastructure under pressure: Cities including Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town are actively repairing major leaks and addressing illegal water use, at the same time demand is rising.
• Behavioural gap: Fixing pipes is only part of the solution, changing how water is used at home, on farms and in industry is equally critical.

A WaterWise Nation is designed as a nationwide behaviour-change movement spanning households, schools, industries, municipalities and the media. Rather than pointing blame, it equips everyone with practical tools and challenges:

• How-to videos on water-wise habits
• Guides to detecting and fixing leaks
• Greywater reuse tips for homes and gardens
• Sustainability frameworks for businesses.

The campaign is embedding water literacy across classrooms, community centres, workplaces, and media platforms. A new podcast series, “Water is Everyone’s Business,” brings powerful stories from experts on the frontlines of water innovation. “Stories shape habits,” says Dr Molwantwa.

“We must flood the public mind not only with urgency, but with hope.” She adds that South Africa’s water challenge is not only infrastructural, but behavioural. “We often talk about fixing pipes, but the deeper leak is in how we think. Every time someone irrigates in the afternoon or lets the tap run while brushing their teeth, we lose more than litres – we lose lifelines.”

With industry using nearly 30% of South Africa’s water and agriculture consuming more than 60%, the WRC is positioning these sectors as essential partners in building a water-secure future.

“Smart water use is smart business,” Dr Molwantwa emphasises. “Water-saving innovation isn’t a cost, it’s a competitive edge.” Solutions already being deployed include data-driven irrigation systems, industrial rinse-water recycling, and circular-water models that reduce waste and increase resilience.

Summer Water-Wise tips from the WRC

1. Water early morning or after sunset and avoid watering between 10:00 and 16:00 when evaporation is highest.
2. Fix leaks immediately, even a dripping tap can waste 20 litres+ a day.
3. Reuse greywater (from showers or laundry) for gardens or flushing.
4. Cover your pool when not in use, reduces evaporation and contamination.
5. Take 2-minute showers, quick showers can save 20-30 litres per person.
6. Sweep driveways and patios instead of hosing them down.
7. Know your meter, track daily or weekly to spot spikes or hidden leaks.
8. Use drip-irrigation and mulch gardens to retain moisture.
9. Collect rainwater, simple barrels or tanks help capture runoff for non-potable use.
10. Be a community water champion and share tips, report leaks and encourage others to act.

“We need every home to load-shed water the way we learned to load-shed electricity,” says Dr. Molwantwa. “Time your showers. Know your meter. These aren’t symbolic gestures, they’re survival strategies.”

This summer, the WRC urges every citizen, farmer, business and municipality to make small, consistent decisions that build a resilient, water-secure future.

“Close a tap. Fix a leak. Educate a learner. Innovate at work,” says Dr. Molwantwa. “If we all act now, we can build a water-secure, climate-resilient nation together.”

This is not just about water. It’s about legacy. It’s about survival. It’s about the kind of future we choose, for ourselves, for our children, and for generations to come.

About The Campaign

A WaterWise Nation is a nationwide campaign led by the Water Research Commission (WRC) to drive urgent behaviour change around water use in South Africa. Under the powerful tagline “Act Today. Sustain Tomorrow.”, the campaign calls on all South Africans, from industries and businesses to households and educators, to rethink how water is valued, managed, and conserved.

South Africa is a water-stressed country facing growing challenges from climate change, aging infrastructure, and unsustainable consumption. With up to 37% of treated water lost before it reaches taps, and 60% of water consumed by agriculture, the nation risks a critical water shortage as demand is projected to exceed supply by 17% by 2030. However, research shows behaviour change alone can reduce water demand by up to 30%, making this campaign a vital catalyst for a water-secure future.

A WaterWise Nation champions innovation, sustainability, and smarter water use by:

• Equipping industries with tools to improve efficiency, reskill teams, and align with evolving water regulations.
• Empowering households and communities to adopt simple but impactful water-wise habits.
• Supporting educators, media, and experts to amplify accurate, science-based narratives and become water advocates.
• Water is everyone’s responsibility. Through A WaterWise Nation, the WRC invites every South African to be part of the solution, because what we do with water today, we live with tomorrow.

For more information, resources, and ways to get involved, visit www.wrc.org.za and join the movement.

About The Water Research Commission (WRC)

The Water Research Commission (WRC) is South Africa’s leading water-focused knowledge institution, established in 1971 under the Water Research Act (Act No. 34 of 1971). With a mandate to promote, coordinate, and fund water research, the WRC drives innovative and sustainable solutions across the entire water cycle to support national development goals and water security.

As a dynamic knowledge hub, the WRC informs water policy and decision-making, fosters innovation, builds sector capacity, and advances human capital development. Its work aligns with the National Water Act, the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan, and broader regional and global frameworks, including SADC and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The WRC’s vision is to enable highly informed water decision-making at all levels, while its mission is to support the development of knowledge, innovation, and solutions that improve lives, support economic growth, and strengthen environmental sustainability.

Through research, technology transfer, and stakeholder collaboration, the WRC operates across five strategic focus areas: water resources and ecosystems, water use and sanitation, agricultural water management, innovation and business development, and international cooperation.

For over five decades, the WRC has served as a catalyst for change, driving water innovation, empowering communities, supporting transformation, and building a water-smart South Africa.

For more information, visit: www.wrc.org.za