1. Invitation
The Water Partnerships Office (WPO) invites Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from private sector project sponsors with water reuse and reclamation initiatives across South Africa to explore potential partnership opportunities.
2. Overview of the WPO
The WPO was established following a partnership between the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). The role of the WPO is to develop standardized programmes and assist municipalities to prepare and structure bankable projects within the standardized programmes for private sector participation. The main objective of the WPO is to create opportunities for the private sector to support municipalities with the provision of water services.
While the WPO has historically focused on municipal support under its Water Reuse Programme, it is now exploring opportunities to support:
Private sector-led (on-site) water reuse and reclamation projects and initiatives
Innovative water reuse and reclamation solutions
This initiative seeks to potentially accelerate the development and implementation of private sector driven water reuse infrastructure in South Africa through private sector participation, contributing to enhanced water security, climate resilience, and sustainable economic growth.
3. Why do we need to reuse and reclaim water?
SA is a water scarce country and is facing a projected 17% water deficit by 2030 – many cities in South Africa are however already experiencing a water deficit. Increasing climate variability is exacerbating this water problem.
Water & sanitation services are essential basic services and an economic enabler; for public health, social inclusion, economic growth and job creation.
The South African National Water and Sanitation Master Plan (2018) makes a specific note of the need to reduce water demand and increase water supply through the “re-use of effluent from wastewater treatment plants, water reclamation, as well as desalination and treated acid mine drainage”.
Doing more with the same.
Transforming water challenges into sustainable opportunities and positioning water reuse and reclamation as key drivers of resilience, efficiency, and long-term growth.
4. Purpose of the EOI
This EOI seeks to identify private sector driven water reuse and reclamation projects across various stages of development where the WPO may potentially provide support, including:
Project preparation and development support
Technical, financial, and institutional structuring
Facilitation of partnerships, including with the public sector where applicable
Support toward progressing projects toward implementation readiness
Innovative funding mechanisms to support implementation
Projects at concept, early development, or advanced stages are all encouraged to apply, provided they demonstrate a clear water reuse or reclamation component.
5. Eligibility
Submissions are invited from:
Private sector project sponsors
Industrial and commercial water users
Property and infrastructure developers
Investors and independent project developers
Entities involved in water reuse, recycling, or resource recovery
Projects may include:
Fully private sector-led initiatives
Projects within industrial, commercial, or mixed-use developments
Indicative project types include:
Industrial wastewater reuse and recycling
Resource recovery from privately owned wastewater treatment facilities
Private water reuse systems
Decentralised water reuse solutions
Projects should contribute to water security and/or climate resilience outcomes.
6. Information Required
Interested parties are requested to submit an Expression of Interest including:
Project Concept Note
Overview, objectives, and location
Description of Wastewater Source and Reuse Application
Source, treatment process, and intended reuse
Size of reuse/treatment facility and volumes of water to be treated and reused
Available Studies or Supporting Documentation (where applicable)
Feasibility studies, technical designs, or business cases
Project Development Status / Implementation Readiness
Concept, pre-feasibility, feasibility, or implementation stage
Stakeholder Engagement
Including any municipal or regulatory interface
Estimated Funding Requirements and Funding Approach
7. Submission Details
Expressions of Interest must be submitted electronically to:
wrpapplications@dws-wpo.org.za
This EOI is issued to facilitate engagement with the private sector and to identify potential opportunities for support; it does not constitute a procurement process.