News

Climate change and South Africa’s water woes — an urgent call to community action

Climate change and South Africa’s water woes — an urgent call to community action


The science of climate change is clear and demands urgent action. The mounting scientific evidence of a climate catastrophe is not going to wait for politicians to get on board to tackle climate change with the urgency it needs. This year’s United Nations 28th Conference of the Parties to the U...

10.12.2023 16:45:35
Read more

Nearly half of the water supplied by municipalities fails quality tests

Nearly half of the water supplied by municipalities fails quality tests


The Blue Drop, Green Drop and No Drop reports released today (Tuesday 5 December) by the Department of Water and Sanitation show a deterioration in quality controls across the country. While Minister Senzo Mchunu seems reluctant to call the water situation a crisis, WaterCAN believes it is indeed a ...

06.12.2023 04:16:02
Read more
Sasol case drags on, but does pollution stop?

Sasol case drags on, but does pollution stop?


The criminal case against Sasol for allegedly discharging water contaminated with chemicals including vanadium into a tributary of the Vaal River was postponed on Monday 20 November to 5 July 2024. 
The postponement was agreed between the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Sasol, at the NP...

20.11.2023 23:21:16
Read more
WaterCAN, civil society and key water authorities work towards setting up a water forum in Johannesburg

WaterCAN, civil society and key water authorities work towards setting up a water forum in Johannesburg


The national Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Rand Water (RW) and Johannesburg Water (JW) got together with WaterCAN and civil society organisations at the weekend to discuss the water crisis in Johannesburg. 
But the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), which controls the funds available for it...

14.11.2023 20:59:01
Read more

Where is the money coming from for the Joburg water infrastructure upgrades?

Where is the money coming from for the Joburg water infrastructure upgrades?


WaterCAN, an initiative of the  Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), calls on the Gauteng water authorities to make their water infrastructure plans public, with detailed spending and timelines. 
This would provide clarity for the public on what infrastructure is being built, how much it ...

13.10.2023 20:33:18
Read more
WaterCAN calls for urgent action to address widespread water leaks

WaterCAN calls for urgent action to address widespread water leaks


WaterCAN, an initiative of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), has called for urgent meetings with Rand Water and Johannesburg Water over the ongoing water crisis. 
Over the past year, Gauteng has witnessed a disturbing increase in water challenges, marked by frequent shutdowns, water she...

09.10.2023 22:35:11
Read more
WaterCAN Launches Second Annual Water Testing Week Across South Africa

WaterCAN Launches Second Annual Water Testing Week Across South Africa


WaterCAN’s second annual Water Testing Week is underway this week, running from the 17th to the 24th of September encompassing the World Water Monitoring Day on 18 September and culminating in World Rivers Day on 24 September. WaterCAN, an initiative of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), is ...

29.09.2023 23:03:17
Read more
Citizen scientists take the plunge to change the tide on water quality

Citizen scientists take the plunge to change the tide on water quality


A deluge of activist citizen scientists is heading for the water. They are participating in a water monitoring and testing week from 17 to 24 September. 
The campaign is centred on World Water Monitoring Day on 18 September — focusing on the testing of tap water, rivers, reservoirs and dams — an...

19.09.2023 15:41:19
Read more

Gauteng water troubles underline fragility of mismanaged system

Gauteng water troubles underline fragility of mismanaged system


Gauteng authorities are blaming each other over water problems instead of working together to resolve the issues. WaterCAN, an initiative of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), calls for a focus on resolving the water issues, providing the public with accurate information and for accountabili...

07.09.2023 18:57:26
Read more

WaterCAN disappointed over yet another postponement of Sasol environmental case

WaterCAN disappointed over yet another postponement of Sasol environmental case

Delays in legal proceedings hinder both justice and the vital environmental cleanup process

Image: WaterCAN

WaterCAN, an initiative of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), has expressed deep disappointment that the c...
08.08.2023 00:36:33
Read more