Professor Ekama has 35 years of research experience into activated sludge systems at UCT. Over the years he has been at the forefront of developments in BNR-activated sludge systems modelling, filamentous bulking, and secondary settling tank design and modelling.

He has published over 150 research papers on these subjects and he and his research group have co-authored the International Water Association Scientific and Technical Reports. He is a fellow of several institutions including the Water Institute of Southern Africa and the Royal Society of South Africa.