The focus of the long-established South African mining industry is shifting from exploitation to rehabilitation and the need to address the mining pollution legacy produced by past mining activities. Furthermore, the social and economic well-being of communities is directly related to the health of the environment where they live. In addition, adequate access to sustainable, potable water sources is critical to the health of communities and to the promotion of rural development. Therefore, Council for Geoscience focusses on delivering water and environment projects that mitigate soil, groundwater and surface pollution and that support the preservation of sensitive environments.

The Council for Geoscience has expertise in water resource assessments which includes studies on physical and chemical processes associated with subsurface water-bearing environments and the socio-economic and institutional aspects that affect the management and protection of water resources.