Dr Marlene van der Merwe-Botha is registered as a Professional Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientists. She holds a Doctorate in Environmental & Industrial Bacteriology from the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein. Her thesis was on the anaerobic treatment of high-strength industrial effluent, coupled with microbial strain selection and reactor design optimisation. She has >20 years’ experience in the water and wastewater industry, half of which was in service of local government (Mogale City) and the other half in private practice. She is a Past President of the Water Institute of Southern Africa, was Chair of the Anaerobic Sludge Process Technical Division, and is a Senior Fellow member of WISA. She is advisor on University of Johannesburg PEETS technology station, Glen Agriculature College, and technology analysis for the Water Research Commission.She started her career as Chief Chemist at Mogale City in 1995, moved to the position of Deputy Director responsible for wastewater networks and treatment, and concluded her work 12 years later in the position of Director responsible for Water and Sanitation. She started Water Group Holdings (Pty) Ltd in 2006 as sole owner, consist of consulting, training and construction business units. After 18 years living in Krugersdorp, she moved to back to her home province, FreeState, and is resident in Parys since early 2022.She has several publications and technical manuals to her credit including energy auditing, waste-to-biogas, risk assessment, feasibility studies, process optimisation, operation and training of wastewater treatment plants and staff. She is known for her work in as Green Drop Auditor and Trainer with the Department of Water and Sanitation and primary author of the Green Drop Reports. She also spearheaded the developed and implementation of the No Drop Certification audit programme for DWS and the Strategic Water Partners Network of SA in 2014. She is currently heading up the Green and Blue Drop audit programmes for 2021-2023. Her latest endeavours focus on paving the way to develop and implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures at municipal wastewater treatment plants with various sector partners.