Citizens urged to change behaviour towards water usage

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has reiterated a call for continuous action from all citizens to secure the country’s scarce resource through a change of behaviour towards water usage.

The department noted that South Africa is a water-scarce country and that water resources are under immense pressure due to climate change effects.

To further worsen the situation, the department said South Africans currently consume more water per capita at approximately 218 litres per day than the world average of approximately 173 litres per day, while Gauteng is sitting at 266 per capita per day.

“This means we are using more water than the required average and that is unsustainable. The demand-supply relationship for treated water in Gauteng is very tight and the system is vulnerable to disruptions now because there is no reserve supply capacity in the system due to high demand.

The DWS called on all citizens to contribute to saving water, emphasising that living in a water-scarce region means that “we all must use water wisely [and] water conservation is essential and can be done by everyone.”

“Finding and fixing water leaks is an essential part of reducing water wastage in our homes, businesses, sports clubs, schools, places of worship and everywhere else in our communities. We call on communities to follow restrictions put in place by your respective municipalities, and to use water with caution and reduce consumption.”

Enforcing bylaws on water restrictions

The department also called on Gauteng municipalities to implement strict water restrictions and enforce municipal bylaws to those who do not comply to water restrictions.
 

“Level 1 restrictions prohibit irrigation of gardens with sprinklers and hosepipes between 6am and 6pm; filling of swimming pools; and washing of paving areas and driveways with hosepipes.”

If high demand continues, the department said municipalities should implement higher levels of restrictions, including educating residents and communicating the benefits of conserving water, as well as the dangers of wasting it.

“Repair leaks and burst pipes timeously to reduce quantities of water lost, attend to illegal connections, and maintain water infrastructure to ensure reliability and sustainability. Residents, repairing leaking pipes in your property is your responsibility [and] by law, leaks should be repaired quickly, and this will also save you money,” the department explained.

Water saving tips

The department has provided some of the tips on how communities can further implement small-scale changes to save water in households, schools, parks, churches, industrial buildings, government buildings. 

These are: 
•    Keep the taps turned off when not in use.
•    Turn off your tap while brushing your teeth and only turn on when it is time to rinse (and where possible, rather use a tumbler). 
•    When boiling water, kettles should not be filled to the brim but with just enough water for your needs.
•    Wash your veggies in a bowl instead of under running water, then use the water to flush your toilet or water your plants. 
•    Only run the washing machine and dishwasher when you have a full load. 
•     Take a shower of five minutes or less.
•    Do not use a hosepipe to wash your car but instead use a bucket of water.
•    Do not rinse dishes under a running tap. 
•     Regularly check and fix leaking taps, pipes and toilets. 
•    Do not use hosepipes to clean on paved areas but rather use a broom to sweep. 
•    Water your garden either in the early morning or late in the afternoon. 
•    Avoid flushing toilets unnecessarily. 
•     Invest on rainwater harvesting system and use the water for water gardens, car washing and cleaning of paving etc.
•    Promote plantation of drought-resistant trees and plants as these can thrive even without irrigation.
•     Make an effort to educate the people around you on why you think saving water is important.

Tips on how to conserve water in industries

•    Minimise unnecessary water use in exterior landscaping. Instead of choosing lawns that require regular watering, consider using decorative landscaping rocks to fill the space so that you can cut down on water use.
•     Prioritise maintenance, cleaning and repair of water-using equipment to avoid leaks. 
•    Replace high-volume spray hoses with water-conserving models. 
•    The best way to conserve water is to recycle and reuse it.

“Mzansi, by making these simple changes, you can help save water. Saving water is part of our responsibility,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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