Why South Africa's Water Crisis Begins With Human Behaviour

By Linda Downsborough, Head of Environmental Sciences at Emeris Ruimsig
"Managing people is more important than managing water." It is not the sort of statement one expects to hear in a country facing growing water insecurity, recurring droughts and deteriorating water infrastructure. Yet, after monitoring the Wilgespruit River for a decade, the wisdom of that statement becomes difficult to ignore.

The Wilgespruit River is a small tributary flowing past the Emeris Ruimsig campus. On the surface, it may seem insignificant. But not far downstream, it joins the Crocodile River, which flows through the Cradle of Humankind and into Hartbeespoort Dam. From there, its waters continue through the North West Province, where it joins the Marico River to form the Limpopo River. The Limpopo then flows eastward through southern Africa before emptying into the Indian Ocean in Mozambique.

Its journey serves as a reminder that rivers do not exist in isolation. What happens in a seemingly minor stream today can have consequences far beyond the communities that border it.

To mark World Environment Day 2026, staff from the Faculty of Science and Technology at Emeris Ruimsig participated in an environmental monitoring exercise on the Wilgespruit River. Using the citizen science tool miniSASS and Freshwater Watch testing kits, the ecological health of the river was assessed and nitrate and phosphate levels in the water were measured.

The findings were deeply concerning.

Upon arriving at the site, we could see and smell sewage entering the river from upstream. Monitoring records suggest the contamination had been present for at least two weeks. Water quality tests revealed elevated nitrate levels, consistent with sewage pollution.The ecological findings were equally troubling. Although life remains in the river, the species found were predominantly those known to tolerate heavily polluted conditions. True flies, worms, damselflies and minnow mayflies were among the organisms identified. The resulting ecological health score placed the river in worse-than-very-poor condition. More alarming is that these findings are not unusual.

The river's poor condition is not because:

• Scientists do not understand river ecosystems
• there is insufficient monitoring
• there is a lack of environmental legislation or
• there is no evidence of pollution

In fact, the opposite is true. The Wilgespruit River has been monitored since 2015. We have repeatedly identified sewage contamination and consistently recorded ecological health data for over a decade. The real question becomes: if we know the problem, why does it continue?

The solution requires collective action.

Communities have an important role to play by reporting water and sewerage leaks. Protecting local waterways by disposing of waste properly and regular cleanups can be arranged. We need to maintain infrastructure before failures occur. We also need to consider vulnerable ecosystems when planning new developments.

Emeris encourages collective action through its vision and into its curriculum and equips students to be more involved. The IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Water Management is specifically designed for professionals in the water sector and individuals seeking to transition into water-related fields. The qualification prepares students to advance their positions in water organisations and technical roles in catchment management, water resource planning, water supply and sanitation and water infrastructure development. With a strong focus on sustainable practices, policy frameworks and innovative solutions, the qualification enables graduates to contribute meaningfully to water security, environmental stewardship, and community well-being at local, national and global levels.

Rivers do not pollute themselves. Sewage plants do not fail on their own. Infrastructure does not maintain itself. Every environmental crisis ultimately traces back to human decisions. Protecting our rivers therefore requires more than technical solutions, it requires collective action, shared responsibility and a commitment from every sector of South Africa to become part of the solution.