Jayant Narsee Bhagwan, is the Executive Manager of the key strategic area of Water Use and Waste Management at the South African Water Research Commission, overseeing nearly 150 research projects covering the management of drinking water and wastewater in the Domestic, Mining and industrial sector.  In his term he has been instrumental in creating a robust portfolio of research projects and products related to water supply and sanitation for low income areas, and being recognised as an internationally for his work and contribution.  He completed his Masters Degree in Tropical Public Health Engineering from Leeds University, supported by degrees in Municipal and Civil Engineering.  With his knowledge and experienced gained in implementation of rural water and sanitation projects, he has played and participated in the shaping of national water policy and legislation.  He held the posts of the President of the Water Institute of Southern Africa, Chairperson of the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry Water Advisory Committee, as well as international advisory positions with the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council, IWA– Global Development Agency and UNEP. He has been instrumental in driving the area of Faecal Sludge Management and has pioneered a lot of work and the international series of very successful FSM conference. He continues to be actively involved in a broad range of areas in the field of water supply and sanitation, with current focus being on social franchising of O&M in water services and disrupting the sanitation technology environment towards off the grid solutions. Innovation and implementation continuous to be his passion.