WITS:H2O
LEADING WATER SOLUTIONS FOR A CHANGING WORLD THE GLOBAL WATER SECURITY CRISIS 2.2 billion
4.2 billion
40%
Up to
lack safe drinking water
lack adequate sanitation
Why Water Matters By 2050, over 5 billion people will be affected by water scarcity, with demand for freshwater far exceeding supply in many parts of the world. Southern Africa is already one of the regions most vulnerable to this crisis — from droughts and day-zero events to collapsing municipal water systems. At the heart of this challenge lies not only the science of water, but also the urgent need for innovation, leadership, and vision. Wits University, as one of Africa’s leading research institutions, is uniquely positioned to respond. With a century-long legacy of excellence, Wits combines cutting-edge science, engineering, governance, law, and the humanities to address water security in all its dimensions.
of the world’s population is affected by water scarcity
700 million
could be displaced by 2030 due to intense water insecurity
Shaping Tomorrow’s Water Future Wits:H2O is a global research hub for water, uniting world-class thinkers to solve one of humanity’s greatest challenges: global water security. Our strength lies in our interdisciplinary research. From engineering and the sciences, to law, governance, psychology, health, and the arts, Wits:H2O harnesses knowledge across fields to develop solutions that are as innovative as they are practical. Wits:H2O seeks not only to respond to crisis, but to inspire a new way of thinking — one where water is at the heart of innovation, sustainability, and global transformation. Through bold research, transformative education, and global partnerships, Wits:H2O is developing solutions that can reclaim, reuse, and reimagine water for the future of South Africa, Africa, and the world.