The research groups explore system analysis to address risk, resilience, sustainability and reliability of water, environmental and sanitation systems. The groups include:
- Water Resources Research Group
- Water Supply Research Group
- Environmental Sanitation Research Group
- WASH Governance and Policy Research Group
 There are thematic groups of faculty staff and thematic areas of research. The theme leaders coordinate research. The research themes include:
- Water resources research group:Â Research of the group include climate change and integrated water resources management, including trans-boundary water basins, irrigation development, scientific computing and modeling, irrigation development,
- Water supply Research group: Research of the group include water treatment, Water supply service delivery in relation to the sustainable development goals agenda;
- Environmental sanitation research group: Research of the group include research into environmental protection, environmental health, wastes treatment, composting and nutrient recovery for application in agriculture, Bio-waste-to-energy and compost for peri-urban agriculture and modelling of impact on economic development;
- WASH Governance research group: Research of the group include research into infrastructure development, financing and governance including settlements upgrading, women empowerment and behavioural change communication.
