Blog tagged as 2026

WaterCAN: R1bn in returned water grants is a national disgrace while communities live with dry taps and sewage-polluted rivers

WaterCAN is deeply frustrated and alarmed by reports that municipalities have returned R1 billion in unspent Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant funding to National Treasury over the past five years while communities across South Africa continue to endure dry taps, collapsing wastewater systems, sewa...

06.05.2026 11:11:07

E-Coli findings in South African schools drinking water “highly concerning”, says WaterCAN

Results from the WaterCAN Schools Water Testing Project have revealed alarming findings, with nearly a third of participating schools recording high levels of E-coli in their drinking water.

Of the 72 schools that submitted their drinking water test results to WaterCAN, 20 test results have been flag...

21.04.2026 12:03:00

South Africa’s water crisis deepens - WaterCAN warns against “celebrating mediocrity”

WaterCAN says the latest Green Drop Report, Blue Drop Progress Assessment findings confirm a deepening water and wastewater crisis in South Africa and reflect a continued failure to act despite years of warnings.

Green Drop Report

South Africa’s wastewater treatment performance has declined, with on...

20.03.2026 16:21:55

South Africa’s water crisis has become a sustained violation of human rights

As South Africa marks Human Rights Day and World Water Day, the reality for millions is stark: “Day Zero” is not a future threat - it is already here. WaterCAN believes authorities at local, provincial and national level are continuing to violate the rights of millions of people by failing to provid...

20.03.2026 16:21:55

Crisis in Mokopane – filthy water comes out of taps

WaterCAN is deeply concerned by reports from Limpopo that residents in Mokopane are facing serious questions over the safety and quality of their drinking water after discoloured, brown water was reportedly supplied to several communities.

WaterCAN was first contacted by Baba Selomo from the Young U...

20.03.2026 15:51:35

Five days without water for Joburg’s most vulnerable is unacceptable, says WaterCAN

WaterCAN has condemned the City of Johannesburg after residents of Nana’s Farm, Phumla Mqashi and Water Works, all informal settlements in the city, were left without water for five days.

The organisation said activists in the affected communities reported that there had been no regular tanker deliv...

18.03.2026 11:50:05

WaterCAN mobilises over 150 schools across South Africa for 2026 Schools Water Testing Week

WaterCAN will host its 2026 Schools Water Testing Week from 16 to 20 March 2026, bringing together 158 schools across all nine provinces in a coordinated citizen science campaign aimed at promoting safer drinking water, stronger water awareness and greater accountability in schools.

The initiative bu...

16.03.2026 12:16:49

BLOODWORMS IN TAP WATER: Marakong Village, QwaQwa residents fall ill as community left without water

More than one hundred families in Marakong Village, QwaQwa, are facing a serious public health emergency after live bloodworms were reported and then confirmed in water flowing from household taps.

After receiving multiple complaints from residents, Free State water activists working closely with Wat...

20.02.2026 15:22:05

Johannesburg Water needs urgent national intervention, says WaterCAN

WaterCAN has learned that Rand Water, the bulk water supplier to Johannesburg, is preparing to exercise its option to demand a three months’ deposit of about R2.5 to R2.7 billion. This is about a billion Rand more than Johannesburg Water’s Capital Expenditure Budget and is the result of repeated mi...

20.02.2026 08:22:19

No more promises: South Africa’s water crisis needs timelines, transparency and consequences

WaterCAN notes that President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed water security and the criminality that thrives when taps run dry on the national agenda during the 2026 State of the Nation Address. This focus reflects years of sustained pressure from communities, civil society and activists across South A...

13.02.2026 09:42:59