Why Harvest the Rain? 20 Rainwater Harvesting FAQ’s
February 15, 2011Pricing of water should reflect infrastructure costs
February 16, 2011Experts tell conference that action to avert shortages is needed now
South Africa faces a water crisis and could start having critical shortages as early as 2020, experts told the inaugural South African Water and Energy Forum in Johannesburg.
The forum’s two-day conference is being held at the Sandton Sun for local and international experts to deliberate on water and energy supply issues in South Africa and globally.
Former Water Affairs director- general and visiting professor at the Wits University Graduate School of Public and Development Management Mike Muller told delegates that “a crisis is looming … If we don’t panic now and take action now, we will be in a crisis by 2020.”
Metropolitan municipalities including eThekwini, Nelson Mandela Bay, and the City of Johannesburg, will be the first to be hit by shortages.
The shortages, Muller said, will largely be due to water demand outstripping supply, and to a lesser extent by poor water quality as municipal infrastructure deteriorates.
Other contributing factors include leaking pipes and the theft of water for agricultural purposes by farmers along the Vaal River.
“Good water management is very important for growth and development,” said Muller.
“South Africa will not run out of water, but the next drought will see supply cuts. New work must start now.”
He urged the government and municipalities to start building water infrastructure immediately.
Business Leadership South Africa CEO Michael Spicer said South Africa had sophisticated legislation and institutions, but was failing to implement those pieces of legislation.
SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Neren Rau said the crisis was “now”.
“Government has to take the lead. We don’t believe this is being taken seriously.”
Pancho Ndebele, director for Emvelo, a company specialising in solar energy and water eco-solutions, said it was important that companies understand their water footprint.
In Europe, he said, companies were toying with the idea of detailing the water footprint of every item they sell.
Source: Times Live
The water crisis has in reality arrived in many parts of South Africa. As our population grows and water infrastructure continues to decay, the water crisis coupled with climate change will be further exacerbated. South Africa’s water security is an acute problem. Every household should adopt water-saving habits and install water conservation systems such as rooftop rainwater harvesting/ rainwater tanks and gray water systems. The chances of our government acting in time are slim; it’s up to us to ensure we have sufficient water now and in the future.
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