On this page we keep a running update of all the outreach initiatives we have been involved in. Sometimes its just a simple community meeting in person or virutally. But other days, we are teaching learners across the country how to become Water Citizen Scientists, upskilling community groups or actively travelling to far-flung parts of the country to conduct the water testing ourselves.
Our work is multi-faceted and sometimes we lose track of it all. That is why this blog post exists.
Below is a list of the training and workshops conducted so far in 2026:
5 March 2026 – Young Urban Women Movement (Mokopane, Limpopo): Online water testing training. Attendance: 4 people.
6 March 2026 – Teachers participating in Schools Water Testing Week: Online training on how to test school water. Attendance: 46 teachers.
13 March 2026 – Marritz BL: Training with teachers and students on water testing. Attendance: 10 people.
18 March 2026 – Mbali Combined School, Orange Farm: Training with teachers and students on water testing. Attendance: 25 people.
18 March 2026 – Matiwa Combined School, Orange Farm: Training with teachers and students on water testing. Attendance: 40 people.
19 March 2026 – Leshata High School, Orange Farm: Training with teachers and students on water testing. Attendance: 40 students.
19 March 2026 – Ahatuto Secondary: Training with teachers and students on water testing. Attendance: 40 people
Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal
On 22 April, WaterCAN visited Nkandla and joined Asilindi, a local water activist group, for a field-based water monitoring visit. The visit focused on four natural springs that the community had recently secured from animals and other potential pollutants.
Water samples were collected from the springs and taken to Talbot Laboratories in Durban for laboratory testing. The results were mostly positive, giving the community reassurance that the steps taken to protect the springs are making a difference. The results also created a useful baseline for future monitoring.
Following the visit, it was decided that WaterCAN will run annual testing for the community. This will help track water quality over time and support continued protection of the springs.
23 April 2026 – Mahwelereng, Limpopo: Community workshop on water testing and the importance of clean water. Attendance: 35 people.
26 May 2026 – Sukumani Environmental Justice Team: Online training on water testing. Attendance: Participant numbers not provided.
Scottburgh, KwaZulu-Natal
On 27 and 28 May, WaterCAN held two one-hour citizen science training sessions with SDCEA at the NG Kerk Hall in Scottburgh, South Coast. The sessions were attended by Grade 6 and Grade 7 learners.
The first session, on 27 May, included approximately 75 learners. Because of the large group and limited number of kits, the training was run as a demonstration session. Teachers and selected learners were brought to the front and shown how to use the water-testing kits, while the rest of the group followed the process as it was explained step by step.
The second session, on 28 May, was smaller, with approximately 50 learners. Because there were enough kits available, the group was divided into five groups of 10, with each group using its own test kit. This allowed the learners to work together and take part directly in the testing process.
Both learner sessions were predominantly attended by young girls. Most of the learners were African, followed by Indian and white learners.
The focus of the sessions was on human rights, justice and the role of young people in protecting the environment. Learners were encouraged to understand clean water not only as a technical issue, but as a rights issue linked to health, dignity and community wellbeing.
A key message was that citizen science is not only for adults, experts or officials. Learners were encouraged to see themselves as capable of observing, testing, recording and reporting what is happening in their own environment. The sessions helped make science feel more accessible, practical and connected to everyday life.
28 May 2026 – Cape Town Workshop: Water testing workshop. Attendance: 60 people.
11 June 2026 – Italian Club, Umkomaas, eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal. Water testing workshop. Attendance: 30 people mostly made up of small scale commercial fisherman.
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Across South Africa, WaterCAN’s volunteers and citizen scientists are monitoring drinking water and sanitation failures, uncovering risks, and demanding action from those responsible. We challenge polluters, call out government negligence, and stand with communities whose rights to safe water and sanitation are routinely violated. Your support keeps this watchdog work alive and powerful.
For Media Enquiries please contact WaterCAN Communications Manager on Jonathan Erasmus 073 227 6075 or email media@watercan.org.za
