WaterWise Ways
Support this projectIn South Africa’s Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve, the WaterWise Ways project has helped reduce water usage and change behaviours. How? By giving local inhabitants access to simple yet effective methods.
In the semi-arid region of Little Karoo, water scarcity is a constant preoccupation. All the more so because, in South Africa, an estimated 37% of the water supply is lost along the way through leaks in public and private infrastructures (Source: Department of Water & Sanitation 2015).
The stakes for making water usage more efficient in Little Karoo couldn’t be higher for local communities. And this is exactly what the WaterWise Ways project, supported by the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR), hopes to achieve.
How exactly? By helping to change behaviours, increase awareness about water scarcity and climate change, introduce water-efficient technologies and encourage local authorities to adopt positive strategies. Rather than expensive “hard-engineering” solutions, like building new barrages, they privilege more flexible, economical solutions that involve local inhabitants and create jobs. Social enterprise Trapsuutjies Projects recruits the teams locally and implements the project on behalf of the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve.
Repairing and sharing
Based on a “Fix and Learn” approach, WaterWise Ways has already employed, trained and mentored 16 inhabitants from 3 towns as “Water Wardens”. Their role is to repair leaks and install water-saving devices, while also educating families about water. To encourage local authorities to adopt this model, all the work carried out is documented to highlight the economic, financial and biophysical advantages.
The impact is already impressive. Between 2018 and 2020, more than 154,000 m3 of water were saved by 1,593 households. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the families have continued to repair their own leaks – demonstrating the project’s positive impact on long-term responsible water usage.
Would you like to find out more and help boost water efficiency in South Africa?
Similar projects
Raf Sur Seine
Raphaël, 10 years old, has decided to participate in the cleaning of the Seine. He fishes with a magnet and a grappling hook. With the will to sensitize a maximum of citizens.
MicroTERRA
To help fish farmers address economic and sustainability challenges, three young women are studying lemna, an aquatic plant that cleans water and offers a new source of income.
Green Turtle
To fight against ocean pollution and clean up ports, a group of students have come up with a beautiful technology inspired by nature. These engineering students have designed Green Turtle, a turtle robot that tracks plastic waste.
Support the project
To get involved in a collective adventure:
Discover meaningful projects
Choose your preferred project to embark on
Contact the project owner
Discover inspiring initiatives around the world and find innovative solutions
Duplicate the proposed sustainable solutions
Establish new partnerships
Find inspiration and discover new ideas
Connect and share experiences with other innovators around the world
Contact us to propose your project
Discover the innovations carried out by citizens in your CSR fields of action and in the regions of your choice
Support through funding or by providing skills in your areas of expertise
Contact the project leaders
Find inspiring stories of engaged citizens to enrich your editorial work
Help local projects increase their impact and make them known to your audience
Contact the project managers
Discover citizen initiatives around the world
Invest in local projects aligned with your strategy for sustainable development
Contact the project managers