Water is a finite, life-sustaining resource that depends on rainfall, efficient infrastructure, and responsible use. It supports every person, ecosystem, and economy. In the Western Cape, where rainfall patterns are increasingly unpredictable and drought cycles are part of our lived reality, water security cannot be taken for granted. 

At a Council meeting held on 25 February 2026, the Stellenbosch Municipal Council approved the implementation of Level 2 Water Restrictions, effective from 1 March 2026. The decision follows consideration of dam levels, weather patterns and projected supply, and is a precautionary step aimed at safeguarding long-term water security in the area.

"The 2018 "Day Zero" crisis in Cape Town showed how quickly we can run out of water when demand outpaces supply. Thanks to everyone's efforts and strict water-saving, we avoided the worst, but our region still faces water shortages. Our dams rely on seasonal rain, so we need to keep using water carefully for long-term sustainability," says Prof Nicola Smit, Stellenbosch University's (SU) Acting Chief Operating Officer.

Prof Smit says saving water on campus is also part of a global responsibility. "The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals urge action through SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, which aims for sustainable water management for everyone. Water stewardship also connects to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13: Climate Action. The way we use water shows how committed we are to building a stronger future,"

"At SU, every shower, kitchen and lab tap, and sprinkler adds to our shared impact. Protecting this limited resource is not just about avoiding a crisis. It is about showing leadership, taking responsibility, and making sure future generations enjoy a campus that truly values sustainability," said Prof Smit.

According to Nadeem Gafieldien, SU's Director Environmental Sustainability, currently SU is using over 1, 3Kl water per day (the equivalent of half an Olympic swimming pool of water). "To align with conservation targets and municipal restrictions, the University needs to reduce daily consumption by 272 Kl per day, which is obtainable if each of us saves at least 10 litres of water per day."

This target is achievable if each of us:

• Reduce our shower time to 2-3 minutes;
• Turning off the tap while brushing teeth;
• Waiting until you have a full wash load before you do your washing;
• Reporting a dripping tap before it becomes a leak.

Small actions like these, multiplied by thousands of staff and students, make a measurable difference.

What SU is doing to save water

According the Gafieldien, SU has implemented a range of measures across its campuses to reduce water consumption and improve efficiency. SU has several measures in place to reduce its water use on its five campuses.

Smart meter technology and monitoring: Since 2017, SU has installed more than 400 smart meters across its campuses. These meters monitor usage at building level in real time, allowing CDIS to detect abnormal consumption patterns and respond rapidly to leaks or inefficiencies. This initiative has resulted in SU saving thousands of litres from leaks.

Beyond direct water savings, the system also strengthens accountability and enables data-driven decision-making around infrastructure upgrades and demand management.

Ongoing projects to improve wastewater quality further strengthen the University's long-term environmental goal and reduce pressure on freshwater resources.

Landscaping and irrigation: The university uses water-wise, indigenous plant species and automatic irrigation systems that largely operate at night to minimise evaporation. 

Behavioral change and engagement campaigns: Various engagement campaigns geared toward behaviour change to educate staff and students to reduce usage, such as taking shorter showers

What other measures will be needed?

According to Gafieldien, SU is introducing additional measures to reduce water use across its campuses. These include:

Infrastructure upgrades

• Bathrooms across campus will be surveyed to identify water-saving opportunities.

• Older fixtures will be replaced with efficient alternatives, including water-saving showerheads, tap aerators and modern 6-litre toilet cisterns.

Kitchens and catering

• Urging our kitchen staff to use only the amount of water needed in basins when washing dishes and pots; and

• Avoiding leaving taps running unnecessarily.

Cleaning services

• Cleaning teams are encouraged to use water sparingly and follow efficient cleaning practices.

Laboratories

• Urging our laboratory staff and students to use only the necessary amount of water for cleaning;

• Reducing continuous running water for cooling or cleaning experiments where possible; and

• Improving efficiency in processes such as distilled water production.

What more can we do? The 10-litre challenge

What if every member of the SU community committed to saving just 10 litres per day?

What if laboratories, residences, departments and sports teams each identified one innovative water-saving idea?

We invite staff and students to share their ideas for saving water on campus - in offices, labs, residences or shared spaces.

Send your suggestions to Christine Groenewald at [email protected]

Ten selected ideas will each receive a Matie Shop . And who knows - the most innovative idea might just earn a bigger prize. (We're open to creative suggestions!)

Water security is our joint responsibility.

Join the water conversation: talk to Christine Groenewald at [email protected]