Focusing on the importance of water

An integrated approach is necessary to protect our water resources.

This was the unanimous contention of the Department of Water and Sanitation and other stakeholders, such as local businesses and community members, at a conference held last Wednesday at Newcastle Council Chambers.

Regional Head of Department of Water and Sanitation, Ashley Starkey, said to be successful, it was essential for structures such as the statutory Catchment Management Agencies and Water User Associations, as well as non-statutory stakeholder-driven Catchment Management Forums (CMF) to unite.

He said a holistic approach should be followed to protect water resources and bring the message of water quality and security across to CMFs and all water users in northern parts of KZN.

Emphasising the importance of ensuring water supply and sanitation to all, Mr Starkey said taking appropriate steps in protecting water supplies could assist strategic objectives of job creation and economic development, such as agriculture and mining, while maintaining a sense of balance within affected communities.

He said it was necessary to look at innovative ways of service delivery for the present and the future, as well as looking at ways of improving water storage facilities. By ensuring infrastructure remained updated, and pollution through Acid Mining Drainage and Coal Mining was kept to a minimum, Mr Starkey maintained a better world could be handed down to our children by protecting water resources.

“The Blue Drop (quality) levels in Newcastle have increased but there have been minor issues in waste that need to be addressed,” he concluded. After Mr Starkey’s address, delegates focused on rehabilitation of depleted coal mines, securing and protecting water resources, and access of water and sanitation to communities.