GAUTENG.-  Rand Water Foundation (RWF) has donated 195 water harvesting tanks to Gauteng schools as one of its initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of water conservation.

The RWF launched the Schools Water Harvesting Project in 2012 as a mechanism to assist schools curb water losses and encourage learners to adopt positive attitudes towards water saving. The successful implementation of the water saving awareness campaigns has the potential to reduce the schools’ water bills. Each of the 195 schools received two 5000-litre water tanks and stands.

The harvested water plays a significant role, especially in schools that are located in poor communities as it is used to irrigate lawns, flowers, flushing of the ablution facilities. ”

Learners may even use the water for washing their hands and cleaning their classes. This will pave way for the municipal supplied water to be used exclusively for drinking purposes.”

Schools that have benefitted from the project as identified by the Department of Education are in:

 Ekurhuleni Municipality (Thembisa) 15 Schools
 City of Johannesburg Municipality (Alexandra) 15 Schools
 City of Johannesburg Municipality (Orange Farm) 10 Schools
 City of Johannesburg (Diepsloot and Cosmo City) 10 Schools
 Emfuleni and Sedibeng (Sebokeng and Sharpeville) 20 Schools
 City of Johannesburg (Ivory Park and Kaalkfontein) 27 Schools
 City of Tshwane Municipality (Hammanskraal; Soshanguve;
Mabopane; New Eersterust and Stinkwater) 68 Schools
 City of Tshwane Municipality (Bronkhorstspruit and Cullinan) 30 Schools

The RWF will be launching similar projects in the Provinces of Mpumalanga, North West and the Free State in the current year.