Centre in Water Research and Development

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Water risks and challenges

Globally, water resources are under threat. Increased urbanisation, increased industrialisation, increasing populations, climate change and pollution all have deleterious effects on water as a resource. Concomitant with the threat are a number of confounding factors: globally there is a scarcity of skilled people, especially in the water space. Climate change is having a large impact not only on the location of rainfall, but also in the intensity of rainfall. And across much of the world, the last few years have seen some of the worst droughts in recent history, especially in Southern Africa, a problem which is exacerbated by aging urban infrastructure. 

This presents a myriad of complex, wicked, interconnected problems, which cannot be solved through the effort of one discipline alone. It requires a truly enmeshed research community to effectively understand and solve our new water challenges. These challenges occur against a backdrop of peak population, increasing inequality, dwindling natural resources and climate change.

Prof. Craig Sheridan, FIChemE, Pr. Eng.

Our philosophy

CiWaRD supports research and development in water by embracing complexity and collaboration as the mechanism of creating novel findings and insights.

We believe in a plurality of beliefs and value systems; respectful dialogue to solve conflict; the value of difference as a tool to collaborate; and in enmeshed collaboration as a means to solve water problems.

We conduct research based on four thrusts:

  • Water - Systems and the Environment (W:SATE)
  • Water Recovery - Recycle, Re-use and Remediate (WR:R3 )
  • Society for Water - Citizenship and Stewardship (SW:CS)
  • Water - Education (W:Ed)

Part of our strategy is to engage with industry and society to develop meaningful postgraduate certificates and qualifications. 

Research themes

 

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