Save water during the festive season
South Africans are being urged to conserve as much water as they can during the festive season as well as to be careful around large bodies of water, especially if alcohol is involved.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and Bloem Water released a joint media statement making the plea to citizens on Wednesday.
The statement said during the summer, water usage increases substantially with people trying to cool down by either swimming in the pool or using a hose pipe or bucket filled with water to relieve the sweltering heat.
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However, the statement said taking into consideration the gradually declining dam levels on a weekly basis, using hose pipes and buckets of water to keep cool is “highly discouraged as it results in water wastage”.
“During this period many holiday goers also enjoy spending time near rivers and dams,” said the joint statement.
“During this period many holiday goers also enjoy spending time near rivers and dams,” said the joint statement.
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“Rituals are performed and many consume alcohol near these bodies of water. The mixture of the two sometimes leads to dire consequences. We urge everyone who will be near dams and rivers especially if you do not know how to swim to be extra cautious.
“Regardless of how shallow the water might seem it does not take much to sweep someone off balance. Thus far there has already been an incident where two bodies were recovered from the Liebenbergsvlei River in Bohlokong which is near Bethlehem.
“The two are believed to be part of a group who were conducting baptism in the river,” said the statement.
“It is remains our responsibility to take care of the precious resource as water is life. Let us all keep in mind that every drop counts and should be used with care,” it said.
