The IWR staff has a unique range of skills which enable them to address the complexity of the multiple use of freshwater resources. The institute is also fortunate to have a number of secretarial and technical support staff to assist with administration, computer programming, field and office data collection and processing.

Completed projects (2019 - 2024)

For information on projects prior to 2019 please see our Annual Reports

• Hydrology
  • Development, testing and installation of a real-time ecological Reserve implementation method for the Thukela River
  • Ephemeral rivers hydrology
  • Links between water temperatures, ecological responses and flow rates: A framework for establishing water temperature guidelines for the ecological Reserve
  • Various hydrological consultancy projects
  • Modelling uncertainty and reliability for water resource assessment in South Africa (MURRA)
  • A stakeholder-driven process to develop a more equitable and sustainable water resource management plan
• Environmental Water Quality
  
  • Systems mapping of the Swartkops sustainability challenges Innovative water infrastructure management to increase water security for people, economy and agriculture in Southern Africa (ECWASA)
  • Water quality modelling and scenario analysis of the Leeuspruit River in support of the G4 closure process of Sigma Colliery
  • Contributions of an ethically-grounded and values-base approach to water governance – the case of two contrasting catchments
  • Microplastics as emerging contaminants: method development, ecotoxicity testing and biomonitoring in South African water resources
  • Boksburg Lake and Wetland Project
  • Sasol: Environmental Water Quality Assessment
  • Richards Bay Minerals: Environmental Water Quality Assessment
  • The endocrine disruptor research programme at UCEWQ
  • Evaluation of methods for assessment of eco-toxicological risk due to complex effluent discharge
  • The application of chronic (sub-lethal) toxicity endpoints to the development of resource quality objectives
  • Osmoregulation in freshwater invertebrates in response to exposure to salt pollution
  • Effects of detergents on a small stream in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Phase II
• Adaptive Water Resource Management
  • Unlocking Resilient Benefits from African Water Resources
  • African urban complexities and the governance challenges of urban rivers – a systemic-relational inquiry
  • Water for African SDGs
  • LIRA: Enhancing urban wetland and river ecosystem health
  • Evaluating trade-offs from intensified practices in communal livestock systems in South Africa using an Integrated Farming Systems Approach (TOCASA)
  • The role, benefits and prioritisation of ecological infrastructure (EI) in mitigating the impacts of droughts in South Africa
  • Rehabilitation of grasslands after eradication of alien invasive trees
  • Climate Change Adaptation and Decision-Support System
  • The development of a framework for the involvement of local government in water resource management, linked to water services provision
  • A stakeholder driven process to develop a catchment management plan for the Kat River Valley
  • A case study of the wetland rehabilitation project in the Kromme River Valley floor marshes, Eastern Cape

Last Modified: Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:14:58 SAST