Links

Water Research Commission (WRC) Knowledge Hub

South African Government & Regulatory Bodies

Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) The national custodian of South Africa's water resources, responsible for policy, regulation, infrastructure, and water use licensing under the National Water Act.

Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Responsible for environmental governance, biodiversity, oceans and coasts, forestry, and climate change policy in South Africa.

Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) Oversees agricultural policy, land reform, and rural development, including the Abstract of Agricultural Statistics and irrigation policy.

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) The national statistical authority providing demographic, economic, and environmental statistics relevant to water resource planning and policy.

South African Spatial Data Infrastructure (SASDI) The national framework for coordinating and providing access to spatial data across government departments and agencies.

National Geo-spatial Information (NGI) South Africa's national mapping authority, providing topographic maps, aerial photography, and digital elevation models.

South African Research Institutions & Agencies

Water Research Commission (WRC) Knowledge Hub The primary repository for WRC-funded water research reports, covering all aspects of water resource science, management, and engineering in South Africa. An essential starting point for any water-related literature search.

Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Conducts applied research on soil, water, climate, and agricultural resources relevant to South Africa's water and food security challenges.

Council for Geoscience (CGS) South Africa's national geoscience research agency, providing geological maps, borehole data, and research on mine water, groundwater, and geological hazards. See also the CGS Interactive Web Portal.

South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) The national authority on South Africa's biodiversity, providing species data, ecosystem assessments, and biodiversity planning tools including the BGIS spatial platform.

South African National Space Agency (SANSA) Operates South Africa's earth observation and space weather programmes, providing satellite imagery and remote sensing data relevant to land cover, hydrology, and environmental monitoring.

South African Earth Observation Network (SAEON) A long-term environmental monitoring network covering terrestrial, freshwater, estuarine, and marine systems across South Africa.

Freshwater Research Centre (FRC) An independent research organisation specialising in freshwater ecology, water quality, and aquatic ecosystem management in southern Africa.

National Policy Data Observatory (DSI & CSIR) A platform for science, technology, and innovation data relevant to South Africa's national development priorities, including water and environment.

DST/CSIR Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) South Africa's national high-performance computing facility, supporting large-scale modelling and data analytics in water, climate, and environmental science.

Universities & Academic Centres

Stellenbosch University Water Institute (SUWI) An interdisciplinary water research institute at Stellenbosch University covering water governance, water-food-energy nexus, and integrated water resource management.

UKZN Centre for Water Resources Research (CWRR) A leading South African water research centre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, home to the ACRU hydrological model and long-term catchment research programmes.

UFS Institute for Groundwater Studies (IGS) A specialist groundwater research institute at the University of the Free State, conducting research on aquifer characterisation, groundwater management, and contamination.

UCT African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI) An interdisciplinary research initiative at the University of Cape Town addressing the links between climate change, development, and natural resource management in Africa.

Climate System Analysis Group (CSAG) – UCT A climate research group at UCT providing regional climate projections, downscaling, and climate risk assessments relevant to water resource planning in southern Africa.

Applied Centre for Climate and Earth System Science (ACCESS) A South African Centre of Excellence supporting research on climate variability and change and its impacts on water, agriculture, and ecosystems.

International Research & Data

International Water Management Institute (IWMI) A leading international research organisation focused on water, food, and ecosystems in developing countries, with a significant presence in southern Africa. See also the IWMI Water Data Portal.

FAO AQUASTAT The Food and Agriculture Organisation's global water information system, providing country-level statistics on water resources, water use, and irrigation.

World Bank Water Data Open water-related datasets from the World Bank, including country-level indicators on water access, sanitation, and resource availability for South Africa.

UN Water Activity Information System A global database of water-related programmes, projects, and activities coordinated across UN agencies.

UN Global Platform – Data for the World A platform for sharing and analysing big data for sustainable development, including water and environment-related SDG indicators.

World Soil Information (ISRIC) Global soil geographic databases including SoilGrids, providing soil property data essential for hydrological modelling and land management.

Global Water Pathogen Project A comprehensive international reference resource on waterborne pathogens and their management in water supply and sanitation systems.

Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) A South African agricultural policy research organisation providing economic analysis and modelling of food and water systems.

Data Platforms & Tools

Blue Earth Data (Deltares) An open data platform from Deltares providing access to global hydrological, coastal, and water-related datasets — widely used in water modelling and research.

Digital Earth Africa A continental earth observation platform providing free and open satellite data and analysis tools for African countries, including water body mapping and land cover products.

CEIC – Global Economic Data, Indicators, Charts and Forecasts A global macroeconomic and sector data platform including country-level water and agricultural statistics useful for research and policy analysis.

National Climate Change Response Database (NCCRD) South Africa's national repository for climate change mitigation and adaptation interventions, including water sector responses to climate risk.

Data Science and Climate Change An accessible overview of how data science methodologies are being applied to climate and environmental challenges, including water resource management.

Professional Bodies & Networks

Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) The professional body for water sector practitioners in southern Africa, providing a platform for knowledge sharing, professional development, and industry standards.

International Water Association (IWA) – Digital Water Programme An international network advancing the digitalisation of the water sector, including smart monitoring, data analytics, and decision support tools.

International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) A global professional network on irrigation, drainage, and flood management, with relevance to South Africa's agricultural water use challenges.

Research ICT Africa (RIA) An African research network focused on information and communication technology policy and digital inclusion — relevant to data access and open data initiatives in the water sector.