The University of Cape Town has established a process in place, as a pilot project, to treat wastewater through the construction of what it has called the Green Precinct and Water Treatment Facility, located on lower campus. This initiative forms part of UCT’s long-term sustainable water management strategy and aims to treat wastewater from surrounding student residences and upstream academic buildings.  The treated water will be upcycled and reused in non-potable applications such as toilet flushing, and irrigation of gardens and sports field set to save thousands of litres of water annually.

This pilot facility represents a significant advancement in UCT’s sustainable water management strategy, planning to incorporate on-site wastewater recycling as a core future function of the university. The design and city planning approval was completed in 2024 and the construction has started in 2025 and is scheduled for completion in December 2025, the project directly contributes to SDG 6.3 by reducing untreated wastewater discharge and promoting efficient resource recovery.

A public news article on the groundbreaking of the construction site by the Vice Chancellor is proof that the project has proceeded into construction and will soon be complete, delivering thousands of litres of water saved from the treatment and reuse of potable water. 

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, staff and researchers can engage directly with the water treatment system related and the ecological treatment systems and sustainability technologies used on the site, or simply come and relax in the gardens where they will be made aware of the value and importance of water.