Water
South Africa needs data centres, but not without transparency
Article One and the Centre for Human Rights have asked the Human Rights Commission to recommend a pause on huge new projects
Opinion | 4 August 2026
Despite sewerage upgrades, Mogale City still polluting Cradle of Mankind
Tests detect high E. coli levels in water flowing from the Percy Stewart treatment plant into the Blougat Spruit
Text by Seth Thorne. Photos by Ihsaan Haffejee.
News | 3 August 2026
Air and water pollution harming Joburg’s poorest communities
Failing wastewater treatment works, ageing sewage infrastructure, smouldering illegal dumps, industrial and urban runoff and a legacy of mining activities have ruined Joburg’s air and water
Text by Seth Thorne. Photos by Ihsaan Haffejee.
News | 30 July 2026
At 86, Limpopo farmer still waiting for promised irrigation water
Shortcomings and delays with the Giyani Water Project has left small-scale farmers without reliable irrigation
Brief | 29 July 2026
Elections 2026: Dawid Kruiper Municipality battling water leaks and sewage spills
The Special Investigating Unit is looking into “allegations of serious maladministration” involving 24 contracts at the municipality
By Liezl Human
Feature | 23 July 2026
Unpaid contractors block water services depot in Durban
The water and sanitation contractors say they are ignored by eThekwini Municipality
By Joseph Bracken and Tsoanelo Sefoloko
Brief | 20 July 2026
Time to pay up: a look at municipal debt
More than R161-billion owed for electricity, water and taxes
Chart by The Outlier. Text by GroundUp Staff.
Charts | 17 July 2026
Water contractors blame eThekwini for reneging on promise for pay them months ago
Municipality says it still needs to verify which companies need to be paid
Brief | 10 July 2026
Union marches over failing municipalities
“When municipalities collapse, communities suffer” says SAMWU
Brief | 9 July 2026