The University of Cape Town has established a process in place to treat wastewater through the construction of its Green Precinct and Water Treatment Facility, located on lower campus. This initiative forms part of UCT’s long-term water resilience programme and aims to treat wastewater from surrounding residences and academic buildings for reuse in non-potable applications such as toilet flushing, irrigation, and sports field maintenance.

The facility represents a significant advancement in UCT’s sustainable water management strategy, incorporating on-site wastewater recycling as a core function. Scheduled for completion in December 2025, the project directly contributes to SDG 6.3 by reducing untreated wastewater discharge and promoting efficient resource recovery.

The centrepiece of UCT’s strategy is the Green Precinct and its cutting-edge on-site water recycling facility. This plant will treat wastewater from nearby residences and academic buildings, making it safe for uses such as toilet flushing, irrigation and maintaining sports fields – saving thousands of litres of potable water annually.

A unique aspect of the Green Precinct is its dual role as both operational infrastructure and learning environment. In partnership with UCT’s Future Water Institute, the site will serve as a living laboratory for water management research, teaching and innovation. Plans include an interpretative centre and landscaped gardens where students and researchers can engage directly with ecological systems and sustainability technologies.