Wits takes water to informal settlements
- Wits University
Johannesburg Water partners with Wits to provide sustainable groundwater supply for informal settlements.
The Wits School of Geosciences, Wits Enterprise and Johannesburg Water have launched an innovative groundwater project aimed at delivering a reliable and sustainable water supply to informal settlements in Region G.
“The project combines proven engineering methods with cutting-edge hydrogeological science to develop a sustainable groundwater system that connects directly to households,” says Professor Grant Bybee from the Wits School of Geosciences.
Once completed, the system will deliver 150–225 litres of water per person per day to more than 2,600 residents, providing a consistent and high-quality water supply. “The design prioritises reliability, resilience, and ease of maintenance, featuring automated monitoring, substantial storage capacity, and a rapid response mechanism to ensure uninterrupted service even during pump maintenance or system failures,” adds Bybee.
Wits researchers are working closely with Johannesburg Water’s scientific and technical to continue to monitor and evaluate the system for two years after completion to ensure its long-term success. The project is scheduled to be fully operational by December 2025, marking a significant milestone in Johannesburg Water’s mission to bring sustainable, community-driven water solutions to all corners of the city.
Andrew Hope-Jones, the CEO of Wits Enterprise says: “At Wits Enterprise, we are passionate about bridging the gap between academia and society. By connecting Johannesburg Water with the university’s research expertise, we are ensuring that innovation developed in the lab can be translated into practical, scalable solutions for our communities.”
“This partnership embodies our commitment to using homegrown innovation to meet the essential needs of our citizens,” said a Johannesburg Water spokesperson. “By working hand in hand with leading researchers from Wits University supported by Wits Enterprise, we are proving that scientific expertise can make a direct and life-changing impact in our communities.” Dr Zakhele Khuzwayo, Manager for Innovation & Technology at Johannesburg Water.
Through this initiative, Johannesburg Water continues to champion partnerships that transform academic research into practical, scalable infrastructure designed to bring water, dignity, and development to the people of Johannesburg.