South Africa could run short of water

Everyone in South Africa should consider where they can save water and actively contribute to reducing water shortages by considering rain water tanks for rainwater harvesting as well as other water conservation systems. Depending on the area, size of roof and rainfall, rain water tanks could supply a household’s entire water needs.

We could run out of clean water if South Africans do not work to conserve it, said Water Affairs Minister Edna Molewa.

“If we continue with this trend of using water as if it is an infinite resource, we may find ourselves in some form of trouble,” she said at a New Age breakfast briefing.

“There have been many predictions and pronouncements in the past… that say South Africa will run out of [clean] water.”

She said that water shortages are a possibility if South Africans do not help to prevent it.

“We are, however, confident… because our water strategy and our plans for the future are all geared towards sustainability and security of supply,” Molewa said.

“We are not sitting back and we want to rely on you as South Africans to work hard. Everyone of us must contribute to ensure this statement that is always made is not a reality.”

She said the Department of Water Affairs was dealing successfully with the problem of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) in the Witwatersrand area, Gauteng.

“The cynics have previously told us that Johannesburg will drown in a sea of mine water and that government is folding its arms while the future of the people of Gauteng hangs in the balance,” Molewa said.

She said the department had successfully stopped the “uncontrolled decant” of Acid Mine Drainage in the western basin.

“We are currently busy with the second phase of upgrading the Rand Uranium plant which will further increase the capacity to treat AMD in that basin,” Molewa said.

“We don’t need to panic. We are on top of the issue.”

Acid Mine Drainage  is the flow, or seepage, of polluted water from old gold mining areas.

Depending on the area, the water often contains toxic heavy metals and radioactive particles, or is acidic. Contact with it can affect the health of humans, fauna and flora.

Molewa said infrastructure development remained vital part of the government’s plan.

“As Water Affairs, we have conducted a study from which a wide infrastructure plan has been developed,” she said.

“According to this plan we will need about R671 billion over the next 10 years.”

She called on the private sector to invest in the plan.

“The plan identifies a number of gaps with regard to the ageing infrastructure that we have to fix, the operation and maintenance and the issue of the lack of skills at our municipalities.”

Source: Times Live