South Africa is one of the world’s 30 driest countries yet average water consumption exceeds international amounts.
South Africans consume 218 liters of water per day compared to an international average of 170 liters.
Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, said at a media briefing this week, the culture of water use needs to change.
He said a new culture of treating water, recycling and reusing, must be instilled.
Polluters of water must also be held accountable.
South Africa has an average annual rainfall of less than 500 mm, while that of the world is about 850 mm.
In addition, between 37% and 42% of drinking water is lost through leaks, wastage and illegal connections.
Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodini, said “we have already captured 75% of the available surface water in dams, and the remaining opportunities for capturing surface water are expensive. At the same time, the demand for water in South Africa is increasing, as a result of population and economic growth.”
She also said since 1994, the Department of Water and Sanitation has built 18 new
dams, including the Qedusizi, Bivane, Braamhoek, and Spring Grove dams in KZN; the De Bos, Ceres Koekedouw and Berg Rivier dams in the Western Cape; the Boschmanskop, Driekoppies, Injaka, and Kettingspruit
dams in Mpumalanga; Setumo Dam in North West; Bedford Dam in Free State; Nandoni and de Hoop dams in Limpopo; Katse and Mohale Dams
(jointly with the Lesotho government) in Lesotho; and Maguga Dam in eSwatini (jointly with the eSwatini government).
New 15 water resource infrastructure projects will require an investment of about R100 billion.
Picture: WaterCan