Water-wise: Master's student Raymond Siebrits.

With the water sector facing some serious difficulties, like the steadily dropping storage levels in Cape Town, UCT master's student Raymond Siebrits' seminar on water research challenges came at the right time. Titled Water Research Challenges in South Africa, the event was in line with UCT's goal of promoting multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary research teams, and to connect research to Africa.

"UCT needs to create a non-faculty-aligned, integrated water research group that can attract long-term funding, support graduate training and enhance the already world-leading water-related research here," said Siebrits, who is based in the Department of Environment and Geographical Science (EGS).

The meeting brought together the gamut of experts on water-related research, from health, economics, civil engineering and water treatment, to conservation, recycling, governance, drainage, wetlands and ecology.

The aim was to analyse the evolution of water research in South Africa since the establishment of the Water Research Act No 34 of 1971, to examine what's currently being researched, and to determine what should be prioritised.