The university works towards strengthening a culture of water conservation and sustainable water use. Various water conservation projects and activities increase awareness and commitment to protect the resource, and optimise its use across the university. The design of new buildings and refurbishment of existing ones include systems, such as high-efficiency plumbing systems, to reduce usage and wastage.

This is supported by preventative and scheduled maintenance, coupled with early leak detection and intervention to prevent water losses. Reducing the university’s large-scale landscape water use is addressed by introducing water-efficient irrigation systems, the implementation of water-wise gardening and using recovered water sources. Where possible, reclaimed water is safely used, and rain water is harvested and stored. Storage tanks and reservoirs are also used to store borehole water.

Recently the University of Pretoria has added the Stormwater Management Plan, which would guide any future stormwater initiatives and projects on the campuses.