The World Meteorological Organisation (the WMO) says the El Niño weather event is firmly established and will intensify into a very strong event in the coming months, with big impacts on rainfall and temperature patterns and associated risks of floods, drought and extreme heat. https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/el-nio-set-to-become-very-strong-raising-risks-of-extreme-weather-into-2027—wmo-2026-09-03

The City of Cape Town’s New Water Programme is only expected to be fully operational by 2036, yet demand is expected to exceed the current dam water allocation in the next two yearshttps://www.bizcommunity.com/article/cape-town-desalination-plans-delayed-while-water-demand-soars-631351a

Food waste is creating opportunities for businesses to recover value from materials that would be sent to landfill, with environmental services company EnviroServ helping to turn waste dough into livestock feed.https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/waste-dough-finds-new-life-as-livestock-feed-2026-08-28

Africa’s food and water security, along with resilient local value chains – water, agriculture, processing – are no longer just development topics, they have become national and geopolitical priorities across governments and investors, said Business Sweden strategy and business development Middle East and Africa project manager Kudakwashe Koke. https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/africas-food-and-water-security-now-national-and-geopolitical-priorities-2026-08-26

Strengthening South-South cooperation and building capacity, technology cooperation and enhanced financial support is important for adaptation and resilience-building in developing countries, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Deputy Minister Narend Singh has said.https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/south-africa-welcomes-south-south-climate-resilience-technical-knowledge-tools-community-based-climate-actions-2026-08-18

In the wake of the release last month of the National Water Action Plan (NWAP) by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Consulting Engineers South Africa’s (Cesa) has warned that infrastructure investment and institutional reform will only deliver results if South Africa urgently closes the technical skills gap in its water and wastewater sector. https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/national-water-action-plan-must-prioritise-technical-skills-says-cesa-2026-08-17

To unlock the value embedded in electronic waste (e-waste), waste management specialist Oricol manages collection, compliance documentation and certified recovery, helping businesses meet regulatory obligations while facilitating a circular economy.https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/strategy-e-waste-collection-unlocks-recoverable-resources-2026-08-14

South Africa needs to modernise how it monitors and evaluates wastewater treatment systems if it is to strengthen environmental protection and prepare critical infrastructure for increasing climate pressures, said Vaal University of Technology’s (VUT’s) Dr Kgomotso Mtshatsheni. https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/south-africa-urged-to-adopt-climate-ready-wastewater-monitoring-2026-08-14

With waste generation increasing and landfill space becoming increasingly limited in South Africa, alongside growing global regulatory requirements, local producers are facing mounting pressure to adopt sustainable resource management practices.https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/how-extended-producer-responsibility-resource-recovery-waste-innovation-can-help-grow-south-africas-circular-economy-2026-08-14

The ongoing US-Iran war, and resulting disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, continues to impact critical industries including fertiliser production, which could have implications for African food security, says independent research organisation Institute for Security Studies senior research consultant Dr Marvellous Ngundu. https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/fertiliser-disruptions-present-food-security-risks-2026-08-07