Water Resource Management Research Group - Critical Assessments, Real-World Solutions and Strategies for Building Water Resilience and Water Security

This research group’s overall goal is to advance water resilience and security through critical assessments of water availability and quality, water demand and supply within urban and rural contexts, establishing effects and risks of climate change, increased climate variability and other water-related risks on water resources, development of real-world solutions and the evaluation of their overall efficacy within various contexts , recommendation of strategic frameworks and prioritisation of actions based on specific scenarios that address current and emerging water challenges and framing future water-realities

Purpose and Approach

This research group is dedicated to evaluating water systems with scientific rigor following a multidisciplinary approach, quantifying impacts and consequences, identifying vulnerabilities and risks, and co-creating actionable strategies with stakeholders through building collaborations and partnerships to enhance sustainable water management, climate adaptation, water resilience and equitable access to water resources.

Key focuses of the Research Group

To integrate interdisciplinary research and stakeholder collaboration in assessing water risks, designing adaptive solutions, and promoting policies that strengthen the resilience and security of water systems under climate, social, and economic pressures.

Current Research Group Members

Group Leader:

Prof Anja du Plessis – Water Resource Management Expert (duplea@unisa.ac.za) (NRF Rating Y2) (Please link to staff page)

Group Members:

Dr Makgalake Pabalelo Radingoana – Grey Water System Solutions (radinmp@unisa.ac.za) (Please link to staff page)

Research Projects, Task Teams and Partnerships

To be included.

Recent Publications

• du Plessis, A. 2023. South Africa’s Water Predicament: Freshwater’s Unceasing Decline. Springer Nature. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24019-5.
• Ngebe S., Malunda KB. and du Plessis A. 2022. Utility of geospatial techniques in estimating dam water levels: insights from the Katrivier Dam. Water SA, 48(2 April). DOI: 10.17159/wsa/2022.v48.i2.3890.
• du Plessis, A. 2022. Persistent degradation: Global water quality challenges and required actions. One Earth, 5(2), 129-131. ISSN 2590-3322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.01.005.
• du Plessis, A. 2021. Necessity of making water smart for proactive informed decisive actions: A case study of the Upper Vaal catchment, South Africa. Environmental Challenges, 4, 100100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2021.100100.
• AfDB, UNEP and GRID-Arendal, 2021. Sanitation and Wastewater Atlas of Africa. Abidjan, Nairobi and Arendal: AfDB, UNEP and GRID-Arendal. Contributor to Chapter 1.
• du Plessis, A. 2020. Freshwater and Industries. In: Goldstein, M.I., DellaSala, D.A. (Eds.), Encyclopedia of the World's Biomes, vol. 4. Elsevier, pp. 55–62. ISBN: 9780128160961.
• du Plessis, A. 2019: Water as an Inescapable Risk: Current Water Availability, Quality and Risks of the Globe with Specific Focus on South Africa. Springer Water Series. Springer Nature. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-03186-2.
• du Plessis, A. 2017: Freshwater Challenges of South Africa and its Upper Vaal River: Current State and Outlook. Springer Water Series. Springer Nature. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-49502-6.

Engaged Scholarship

• du Plessis, A. 2025. Solution-driven Water and Sanitation Indaba – Dedication and leadership amid persistent failures. Available from: https://www.conviction.co.za/water-sanitation-indaba-action-solutions-south-africa/
• du Plessis, A. 2025. South African water crisis: Why accurate reporting saves lives. Available from: https://www.conviction.co.za/south-african-water-crisis-why-accurate-reporting-saves-lives/.
• du Plessis, A. 2025. Die rimpel-effek van foutiewe inligting. Available from: https://maroelamedia.co.za/debat/diskoers/die-rimpel-effek-van-foutiewe-inligting/.
• du Plessis, A. 2024. Valuable lessons learned amid the water chaos: Navigating the Eikenhof system 86-hour maintenance period. Available from: https://www.conviction.co.za/2024/12/20/valuable-lessons-learned-amid-the-chaos-navigating-the-eikenhof-system-86-hour-maintenance-period/
• du Plessis, A. 2024. The Real Grinch of Gauteng’s Ongoing and Escalating Water Woes. Published online and in various newspapers. Available from: https://www.conviction.co.za/2024/12/12/the-real-grinch-of-gautengs-ongoing-and-escalating-water-woes/.
• du Plessis, A. et al. 2024. We all need toilets – expert insights into what happens when there aren’t enough of them. The Conversation Article. Available via: https://theconversation.com/we-all-need-toilets-expert-insights-into-what-happens-when-there-arent-enough-of-them-243516#:~:text=Toilet%20shortages%20have%20led%20to%20cholera%20outbreaks&text=Thousands%20of%20people%20have%20died,in%20areas%20with%20poor%20sanitation.
• du Plessis, A. 2024. 3 horsemen of the water crisis: Aging infrastructure, mismanagement, overconsumption. News24, 18 October 2024. Available from: https://www.news24.com/news24/opinions/fridaybriefing/anja-du-plessis-3-horsemen-of-the-water-crisis-aging-infrastructure-mismanagement-overuse-20241017
• du Plessis, A. 2024. Johannesburg se waterkantelpunt. MaroelaMedia, 20 Junie 2024. Available from: https://maroelamedia.co.za/debat/meningsvormers/johannesburg-se-waterkantelpunt/
• du Plessis, A. 2024. Skilled teams, political will key to ending water crisis. 25 March 2024. Published in Cape Times and The Mercury Newspapers.
• du Plessis, A. 2024. Joburg's water crisis: How mismanagement, poor water governance led to this point. News24, 14 March 2024. Available from: https://www.news24.com/news24/opinions/fridaybriefing/anja-du-plessis-joburgs-water-crisis-how-mismanagement-poor-water-governance-led-to-this-point-20240314
• du Plessis, A. 2023. Drinkwatergehalte daal weens gebrekkigeinfrastruktuur. MaroelaMedia. 14 June, 2023. Available from: https://maroelamedia.co.za/debat/meningsvormers/drinkwatergehalte-daal-weens-gebrekkige-infrastruktuur/
• du Plessis, A. 2023. Water crisis in South Africa: damning report finds 46% contamination, 67% of treatment works near to breaking down. The Conversation Article. Available via: https://theconversation.com/water-crisis-in-south-africa-damning-report-finds-46-contamination-67-of-treatment-works-near-to-breaking-down-219350
• du Plessis, A. 2023. Johannesburg has been hit by severe water shortages: new plan to manage the crisis isn’t the answer. The Conversation Article. Available via: https://theconversation.com/johannesburg-has-been-hit-by-severe-water-shortages-new-plan-to-manage-the-crisis-isnt-the-answer-214975
• du Plessis, A. 2023. South Africa’s drinking water quality has dropped because of defective infrastructure and neglect – new report. The Conversation Article. Available via: https://theconversation.com/south-africas-drinking-water-quality-has-dropped-because-of-defective-infrastructure-and-neglect-new-report-207267#:~:text=The%20assessments%20were%20done%20between,sample%20had%20bad%20water%20quality.
• du Plessis, A. 2023. Cholera in South Africa: A symptom of two decades of continued sewage pollution and neglect. The Conversation Article. Available via: https://theconversation.com/cholera-in-south-africa-a-symptom-of-two-decades-of-continued-sewage-pollution-and-neglect-206141.
• du Plessis, A. 2023. South Africa’s drinking water quality has dropped because of defective infrastructure and neglect – new report. The Conversation Article. Available via: https://theconversation.com/south-africas-drinking-water-quality-has-dropped-because-of-defective-infrastructure-and-neglect-new-report-207267#:~:text=The%20assessments%20were%20done%20between,sample%20had%20bad%20water%20quality.
• du Plessis, A. 2023. Cholera in South Africa: A symptom of two decades of continued sewage pollution and neglect. The Conversation Article. Available via: https://theconversation.com/cholera-in-south-africa-a-symptom-of-two-decades-of-continued-sewage-pollution-and-neglect-206141.
• du Plessis, A. 2023. Power cuts in South Africa are playing havoc with the country’s water system. The Conversation Article. Available via: https://theconversation.com/power-cuts-in-south-africa-are-playing-havoc-with-the-countrys-water-system-197952#:~:text=South%20Africans%20had%20to%20deal,have%20not%20been%20sufficiently%20maintained.
• du Plessis, A. 2023. Act now to end SA’s water woes. Available via: https://mg.co.za/environment/2023-01-06-act-now-to-end-south-africas-water-woes/
• du Plessis, A. 2022. Durban coastline: sewage polluted beaches pose threat to holiday makers and the environment. The Conversation Article. Available via: https://theconversation.com/durban-coastline-sewage-polluted-beaches-pose-threat-to-holiday-makers-and-the-environment-196244.

Prof Anja du Plessis - Recent Speaker, Panelist and Conference Presentations

• Invited Panelist, selected by the Minister of the Department of Water and Sanitation – Minister Pemmy Majodina, and delegate at the Presidential Water and Sanitation Indaba held on 27 and 28 March. Panelist of plenary panel discussion on ensuring raw water security, chaired by Deputy Minister S Seitlholo, held on 28 March.
• Invited speaker to the Unisa Water Imbizo, 25 March 2025. Presentation titled “Universities as Catalysts for Change: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to South Africa's Water Challenges”, presented on 25 March 2025.
• Invited speaker to the Water Leakage & Non-Revenue Loss Technology Summit 2025 (25-26 February 2025). Presentation entitled Tapping into Efficiency: The Unseen Potential of Non-Revenue Water Reducing NRW for water utilities, presented on 25 Feb.
• Invited as speaker by LaRSSA to the Vaal Technical Tour, 31 January 2025. Presentation and panel discussion to be focused on catchment rehabilitation and wetland restoration as possible solutions for the Vaal’s ongoing expanding and worsening water pollution challenges.
• Invited speaker to the Adkock Ingram’s Environmental Conference: South Africa’s Water Reality Freshwater’s Unceasing Decline. The conference was held on 7 November 2024.
• Presented presentation entitled “Rehabilitation of Wetlands to reduce eutrophication and water weed blooms Vaal Barrage, Gauteng, South Africa” in collaboration with Mr D Otto at the LaRSSA’s 11^th Annual Conference. 17 - 20 September 2024, Sun City, North West.
• Invited speaker and panelist to the Deep Water Crisis Intervention Convention: Addressing South Africa’s Water and Waste and Energy Realities – resulting in Social and Economic Challenges. Panel focused on South Africa’s water reality. Convention was held on 5 and 6 September 2024.
• Invited speaker to Conference entitled: Hydropolitical Multi-Layer Cake. Presented paper entitled Rand Water and Local Governments with co-author Prof R Meissner. Conference occurred on 2 and 3 September 2024.
• Invited speaker and panelist to symposium held entitled “How to Organise Collective Action in a Fragmented Society: Averting a Water Crisis in Johannesburg” hosted by University of Johannesburg. Presented a paper regarding the Unification for Water Security in Johannesburg – Setting the Agenda for a Community of Practice. Hosted by the University of Johannesburg. Occurred from 10am on 9 June 2024.
• Invited speaker to Symposium entitled: “Bridging the Academia-Industry Gap in the Water and Sanitation Sector” on 22 November 2023, hosted by the University of Johannesburg. Presented paper focused on the Gauteng Province’s water reality, possible solutions and required actions.
• Invited speaker and panelist of Water Colloquium entitled: "From Scarcity to Security: A Re-Examination of South Africa’s Water Challenges” hosted by the University of Johannesburg. Presented a paper based on my published book of 2023 – South Africa’s freshwater reality. The colloquium took place from 23 to 24 October 2023.

Contact us

Should you require any further information or have media enquiries please contact Prof Anja du Plessis at duplea@unisa.ac.za