eNews
#01 2026
Mobilising Citizen Action for Water Security Through Digital Innovation
By Ameera Yacoob, a PhD candidate affiliated with SAEON (Grasslands Node)
Ameera Yacoob, a PhD candidate affiliated with SAEON (Grasslands Node) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, recently participated in the Next Generation Digital Action (NGDA) Programme in Copenhagen, Denmark. Hosted by DTU Skylab at the Technical University of Denmark, the programme brings together emerging researchers and innovators to address complex societal challenges through digital solutions. Ameera’s involvement reflects SAEON’s emphasis on applied research that strengthens environmental monitoring, governance, and water resilience.
Ameera contributed to the development of LeakNet, a citizen-science solution aimed at reducing municipal water losses in South Africa. The solution was developed over a six-month period through intensive challenge-based collaboration, including one month of structured virtual innovation training facilitated by DTU Skylab. LeakNet responds to widespread losses caused by undetected leaks and fragmented reporting systems, which place strain on infrastructure, municipal budgets, and community trust in essential water services.
Students during the NGDA semi-final sessions at DTU. From left to right: Bhekinkosi Mkhize, Ameera Yacoob, Venessa Mabuza, and Benny Malesela. Photo credit: NGDA photographer.
Ameera Yacoob presenting LeakNet during the semi-final round of the NGDA programme at DTU, Copenhagen. Photo credit: NGDA photographer.
LeakNet enables citizens to report leaks via photos, short videos, or voice notes through a mobile app or WhatsApp, ensuring accessibility in low-bandwidth environments. Submissions are automatically geotagged, classified using artificial intelligence, and mapped in real time. A municipal dashboard clusters reports into priority zones to support faster maintenance responses and improved operational planning. The platform also incorporates behavioural prompts and educational features designed to encourage long-term water-saving practices.
The NGDA programme culminated in an in-person week in Copenhagen, where Ameera participated in the Young Academics semi-finals and exhibited LeakNet at both the DTU Tech Bazaar and the Digital Tech Summit. A dedicated Ecosystem Day included engagements with institutions such as the Novo Nordisk Foundation, NIRAS Green Tech Hub, and Ramboll, offering insight into how interdisciplinary research, data, and governance are integrated within applied innovation ecosystems.
Delegates comprising young academics and entrepreneurs from participating countries in the NGDA Programme, photographed on the final day of the Digital Tech Summit 2025, marking the culmination of collaborative innovation and international exchange. Photo credit: NGDA photographer.
South African delegates comprising academics and entrepreneurs at the Digital Tech Summit 2025, participating in the NGDA Programme. Also pictured is Jay Bhagwan (second row, second from right), Challenge 3 representative from the Water Research Commission. Photo credit: NGDA photographer.
Following the Denmark programme, Ameera attended the AWSiSA Summit 2025, supported by iLambu Global, where LeakNet was presented at the Water Research Commission exhibition booth and during the Wetskills workshop. Engagement with researchers and practitioners highlighted the importance of operational workflows, consistent data quality, community trust, and institutional cooperation in scaling digital water solutions. The experience reinforced the value of internationally informed research in supporting South Africa’s water security priorities.
