On this page, we keep a running record of the outreach initiatives we have been involved in.
Sometimes this means attending a simple community meeting, either in person or virtually. On other days, we are teaching learners across the country how to become Water Citizen Scientists, upskilling community groups, or travelling to far-flung parts of South Africa to conduct water testing ourselves.
In other instances, we are sitting around a table with some of the most influential roleplayers in the water sector or protesting on the frontline against a water service authority that is derelict in its duties.
Our work is multi-faceted, and that is why this blog post exists.
Below is a live list of the training sessions, events, advocacy 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.
2026 Schools Water Testing Week
16-22 March
WaterCAN Successfully mobilised more than 150 schools across South Africa for the 2026 Schools Water Testing Week, during which teachers were trained to test water quality and upload results to the MapMyWater Portal. The Schools Water Testing Project findings were subsequently released, highlighting concerns around E. coli contamination in school drinking water. Of the 72 schools that submitted results, 20 recorded unsafe E. coli levels, raising serious concerns about learner health and water safety. WaterCAN engaged with affected schools and municipalities to encourage follow-up testing and prompt corrective action.
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
20 March 2026 - We raised awareness around the Mokopane water crisis, where communities reported dirty water coming from taps, we released a press release. Conducted laboratory testing in Nkandla, testing four streams used by communities for drinking water. This was done in partnership with Asilindi, a local CBO in Nkandla.
Green Drop Report
20 March 2026
WaterCAN played an active role in driving accountability and influencing policy processes. The organisation provided public commentary on the Green Drop Report and its implications for water service delivery and wastewater management.
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.
23 April 2026 – Mahwelereng, Limpopo: Community workshop on water testing and the importance of clean water. Attendance: 35 people.
Submission to the SAHRC
19 May 2026
The organisation further made submissions to the South African Human Rights Commission Gauteng inquiry into water and sanitation. WaterCAN’s submission was favourably received with the call for civil society to rally behind the outcomes of the SAHRC hearings.
8 May 2026 - WaterCAN continues to stand up for vulnerable communities. WaterCAN was vocal and used a number of channels available to protest the city's planned 65.5% water levy increase.
26 May 2026 – Sukumani Environmental Justice Team: Online training on water testing. Attendance: Participant numbers not provided.
Roundtable – Anti-corruption in water sector
25 May 2026
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.
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.
Webinar: From South Africa to Antarctica: A Young Scientist's Journey
17 June 2026
This was more than a story about life at the edge of the world. It was a reminder that the health of distant oceans is closely connected to the health of our own ecosystems - and why scientific research, water monitoring and environmental stewardship matter. WaterCAN and over sixty online guests went into conversation with young South African scientist Nkateko Maholobela, whose work has taken him from a three-week expedition in Antarctica to 15 months living in isolation on Marion Island with a team of South African researchers.
24 June 2026 - WaterCAN attended the KwaZulu-Natal Premier's Water Summit. The primary objective of the summit was the introduction of a targeted 90-day intervention strategy aimed at stabilizing the province's deteriorating water supply systems.Data presented at the summit confirmed that 13 out of KZN's 14 water service authorities are currently failing to meet basic service delivery benchmarks. WaterCAN used the event to connect and network. WaterCAN managed to meet with key personnel from Nkandla Municipality where we have an active project and key water specialists operating in eThekwini.
Donate to WaterCAN
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
