Water remains under pressure

KZN could take up to three years to recover from the last drought.

Speaking at the commemoration of National Water Week at The Boathouse on March 15 the department of water’s Ashley Starkey said water continued to be a scarce and precious resource.

“Communities must continue to save water as a precious commodity. It has no substitutes,” said Starkey.

National Water Week is a campaign re-iterating the value of water, the need for sustainable management of this scarce resource and the role water plays in eradicating poverty and under-development.

The Department of Water and Sanitation in partnership with the Government Communication and Information System, Ilembe District Municipality, Umgeni Water, Ethekwini Metro, Umhlathuze Water and Sembcorp Siza Water hosted a joint provincial media briefing to kick-start National Water Week.

Also read: Tempers rise over Glenhills water

Ilembe District Municipality deputy mayor Dolly Shandu highlighted problems that hamper the distribution of water in the district, including issues with non-payment, by-passing of metres as well as vandalism of infrastructure.

“We are still feeling the effects of the drought as Ilembe and as such have severe measures in place where all expenditure is kept to essential items required only for service delivery,” she said.

As part of their campaign, Sembcorp Siza Water treated about 35 lucky pupils to an outing to the Boathouse.

Schools from the Sembcorp Siza Water concession area, including R A Padayachee, Sizani Combined, Dinuphozo, Shakaskraal S A, Radha Roopsingh, Shakaskraal Primary and Tinley Manor Primary School competed in fun filled water games such as building a water filter within the stipulated time and many more before they said they left with exciting gifts.

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