Insights from Cape Flats Living Lab: Emerging Contaminants and Groundwater Protection
The Cape Flats Aquifer Living Lab hosted an awareness and networking event on 29 January 2026 at the Wolfgat Nature Reserve Educational Centre in Tafelsig, Cape Town, in collaboration with the City of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University. Held under the theme “Emerging contaminants, health risks, and innovative solutions to monitor and protect water resources,” the event brought together staff from local nature reserves, including professionals involved in community outreach, conservation, maintenance, and pollution control.
The event focused on two key objectives: raising awareness of water pollution, particularly how surface contamination can affect groundwater reserves, and presenting the tools being developed through MAR2PROTECT to help prevent and mitigate such impacts. Participants were introduced to technological solutions from the Stellenbosch University Water Institute and to the Cape Flats Aquifer Living Lab. An additional objective included establishing a foundational relationship with Wolfgat nature reserve to encourage future collaboration and organisation of societal outreaches.
Discussions benefited from the diversity of attendees, ranging from municipal field workers to environmental managers, and highlighted the need for collaboration across different socio-economic contexts. Many participants expressed interest in gaining the skills required to monitor groundwater and to act as educators within their own communities.
A practical demonstration using a physical groundwater flow and pollution model was one of the highlights of the day, visually illustrating how everyday activities above ground can directly affect underground water systems. Combining informative presentations with interactive dialogue, the event created an atmosphere of enthusiasm, leaving participants inspired to play an active role in protecting vital water resources.
Take a look at the photos!
