OUTA’s WaterCAN division is proud to announce its third annual water testing month, which mobilised 1500 citizens to test water across the country.  The campaign launched with a special event on 18 September at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens (WSNBG) in Johannesburg and observed World Water Monitoring Day. 

The WaterCAN campaign invited South Africans to participate in a nationwide water testing effort to better understand the quality of our water resources. Last year, we saw more than 700 South Africans taking part in this important initiative, and this year, WaterCAN mobilised 1500 testers across the country.

“Testing the quality of water from our taps, rivers, dams, wetlands is important to build our network of citizen science activists across South Africa. It is also the starting point to hold polluters accountable,” says Dr Ferrial Adam, Executive Manager of WaterCAN.

The importance of regular and widespread water testing cannot be overstated, particularly as communities across South Africa face ongoing water-related challenges. The data collected through this initiative helps raise awareness about water quality and promotes greater accountability for the protection of this essential resource.

“Walter Sisulu NBG is proud to be part of this campaign and wishes to urge citizens and communities to realise the value and importance of conducting regular water testing to ensure their own health and the health of the environments we live in,” says Mr Andrew Hankey, Acting Garden Manager, WSNBG. 

This collaboration between WaterCAN and WSNBG underscores the shared commitment to environmental stewardship and community-driven citizen science. Together, we are working towards a future where clean, safe water is accessible to all South Africans. The event at the Botanical Gardens will highlight the vital role of water in maintaining biodiversity and the health of our ecosystems.

In 2023, the water tests conducted by citizens revealed important insights into the state of water quality in various regions. These results have informed our approach to this year’s efforts and reaffirmed the necessity of community involvement in monitoring water resources.

WaterCAN has also prepared a comprehensive video guide on how to conduct water tests, ensuring that participants can contribute meaningful data to this vital initiative. 

Read more about how citizen science leads the way in water monitoring and protection here.