The re-use of treated effluent and wastewater is an important priority in freeing up fresh water and broadening the range of alternate sources for water supply, however it is not widely practiced in South Africa.

Within metropolitan areas, conveyance systems (used to transport urban effluent) are in disrepair, and even recently installed infrastructure is in some instances of sub-standard quality. Furthermore, a large number of wastewater treatment works are not meeting effluent discharge standards due to inadequate knowledge, poor operating and maintenance and under-investment in infrastructure. Additionally, municipalities do not prioritise wastewater treatment.

The EWWMS working group seeks to promote access to resilient, cost-effective, and water-efficient sanitation solutions for all by promoting the decentralisation of effluent and wastewater management to the Catchment Management Agencies (CMA) and Water User Associations (WUA).

The focus of the EWWMS is on coordinating private and public sector players to optimise the utilisation of treated effluent and wastewater, and to engage more fully with the national call for private sector assistance on sanitation issues. Benefits include reduction of the amount of pollutants entering the environment, reduction of the amount of clean water required for dilution of pollution and increasing access to sanitation services.