What is water conservation all about?
Water conservation refers to the control and development of water resources both surface and groundwater and prevention of pollution.
Water stress is evident in large parts of the world. It affects food and energy production and its ecological needs, and adversely impact on the health and live hoods of peoples. Climate change and associated uncertainty will exacerbate matters. Many parts of the country are in water crisis. Large parts are under water stress-water stress precedes water scarcity.
South Africa is a water scarce country and we are running out of water as a Nation swiftly, yet many people do not seem to value or realize its importance. The South African Constitution states that everyone has the right to have access to sufficient food and water. The Constitution also protects people’s right “to an environment that is not harmful to our health or well-being” and that “everyone has a right to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations”.
Water resources should be protected, used, controlled, conserved, managed and developed.
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The available water is limited and yet the population continues to grow , so the reality is that in the next 20 years South Africa will move from being a water stressed country to a water scarce country .Despite the recent minor rainfall, drought remains a serious concern. The rainfall level we get is insufficient for the population in South Africa.
EWS: Education and community has various programmes to incorporate a strong participatory approach to ensure two-way communication, has been developed to address a number of challenges including the misuse and wastage of water, high level of non-revenue water, drought awareness, vandalism, sewer blockages and presence of water borne diseases such as Cholera. The target group for the programmes includes poor (vulnerable) communities in both rural and peri-urban areas. Schools and communities become actively involved in water management education programmes which are listed below:
School Presentations: Educators Workshops: Community/Public Participation: Water Detectives Programme Green Rivers: Enviro-Forums (Masakhane and Sukuma Sakhe): Door to Door: Special Days: Take a Girl Child to Work: Clean up campaign: Exhibitions:
Special Projects
Drought Awareness Campaign:
Any additional information that the public should know on water conservation
