The value of citizen science for a just and sustainable water future

In this Commentary, we reflect on advances regarding citizen science monitoring of water systems in South Africa and how research into water-related citizen science can shape just transitions to a water secure future.South Africa is characterised by a triple challenge of multidimensional poverty, inequality, and unemployment.The official unemployment rate is 32%, which worsens when considering that youth (ages 15 to 34) unemployment stands at 46%.The most recent General Household Survey reports that 23.1% of South African households have less than adequate access to food, and that almost 40% of households now receive a social assistance grant. 1 South Africa also has the highest Gini coefficient (i.e., the disparity between rich and poor) in the world. 2 These issues challenge our ability to make sustainable, equitable, efficient, and just transitions toward a food and water secure future.A bleak portrait!However, this background is important to appreciate because, although these issues may seem solely socio-economic, they are intricately intertwined with environmental health and the state of and pressure on our natural resources.Everything starts with water: it is the life support system that underpins everything else.Yet, globally, freshwater systems are in crisis from pollution and mismanagement. 3Healthy people and food security, foundational for uplifting people from poverty and inequality, require healthy, functional freshwater ecosystems and, especially, good-quality water.