More than 200 bags of waste have been removed, over 20 stormwater drains cleared, and hundreds of residents reached through a City-funded community project that is helping keep Langa cleaner, reduce localised flooding and encourage water-wise living.

Abahlobo Ekuhlaleni, a non-profit organisation (NPO), is one of 22 organisations that received grant funding from the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate during the 2025-26 financial year to support community-led water conservation initiatives.

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Through its Langa Drain Restoration and Water-Saving Community Campaign, the organisation addressed litter-clogged stormwater drains, stagnant water and poor waste management practices that contribute to localised flooding, pollution and unhealthy living conditions in the Lower Salt River sub-catchment.

Implemented between February and June 2026, the project combined environmental restoration with community education to promote responsible water use.

Langa drain restoration project: key achievements

Key achievements included:

• Removing more than 200 bags of waste through three community clean-up activities.
• Clearing litter from more than 20 stormwater drains.
• Training 30 community volunteers as “Water Guardians” to champion environmental stewardship.
• Reaching 500 households through a water-saving awareness campaign.
• Presenting six water-saving and hygiene workshops.
• Distributing 500 educational resource packs on responsible water use and drain care.
• Demonstrating practical greywater reuse methods to households.

How the Langa water-saving project reduced flooding

An estimated 2 000 people benefited indirectly as a result of cleaner public spaces and reduced flood risks. “Blocked drains, littering and illegal dumping can increase flooding. Through our partnership with Abahlobo Ekuhlaleni NPO, residents are helping protect their neighbourhood while learning practical ways to use water responsibly. By combining education with hands-on action, this project is building cleaner, more resilient communities,” said the City’s Mayco member for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien.

“The project successfully achieved many of its intended objectives. During May. the area experienced heavy rainfall. Because drains were regularly cleaned and waste was continuously removed, the community experienced minimal drain blockages during the rainy season,” said the founder of Abahlobo Ekuhlaleni, Dumisa Jokozela.