Joburgers urged to save water despite recent rains

29 March 2017

 

Despite the welcome rains that have fallen in Johannesburg in recent weeks following a severe and protracted drought, the need to save water remains great.

 

This point was emphasised during the #SaveWater roadshow at the Alexsan Kopano Community Centre in Alexandra in Region E on the last day of National Water Week on Sunday March 26. National Water Week, spearheaded by the national Department of Water and Sanitation, started on Monday March 20.

The #SaveWater roadshow - a collaboration between Johannesburg Water, the City of Johannesburg’s water and sanitation utility, and Rand Water - was celebrated in various parts of Gauteng, including Riverlea, in the City of Johannesburg’s Region B.

Both entities used the campaign to highlight the value of water and the importance of sustaining water supply. They also emphasised that it was every citizen’s responsibility to ensure the integrity of water resources and efficient water usage.

Moshe Singo of Oomph Activations, a company that was running campaign on behalf of both entities, said: “As we mark National Water Week, Johannesburg Water and Rand Water want to send a message to communities about the importance of this scarce resource.

“The message this campaign carries is that people need to continuously use water sparingly. That we have been spared from the drought by the recent rainfalls does not mean we can use the water recklessly.”

Singo stated reasons why the campaign focused on water conservation. “Yes, the planet is covered in water. But most of it is salt water that can only be consumed by humans and other species after undergoing desalination, which is an expensive process,” he said.

He said occurrences such as droughts further limited access to clean and fresh water, meaning that people needed to take steps to reduce water usage and save as much water as possible.

“People who waste water are particularly those who use it to run businesses such as car wash facilities, where there is never an ambassador who can guide them on how they can use it sparingly. This is one of the major reasons why our reservoirs are sucked dry,” Singo said.

Both entities provided communities with several water-saving tips during the campaign. They included the following:

• Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth;

• Adjust the water level of washing and dishwashing machines to suit the load;

• Take shorter showers;

• Repair leaking/dripping taps; and

• Buy water efficient devices.