Shortage of water a cause for concern

MINISTER of the Department of Human Settlement and Water Sanitation Lindiwe Sisulu engaged with the members of the media to inform them about water stress on October 28 at Rand Water head office in Glenvista.

Sisulu was accompanied by the management of Rand Water, as well as other departments. The purpose of the meeting was to inform the public about the current situation with water shortage in some provinces, but more especially in Gauteng.

“We are experiencing high temperatures and an increased demand for water, but we are also experiencing very low rainfall. Rainfall is very difficult to predict in the short-term,” said Sisulu.

Sisulu stressed that South Africa, like many other parts of the globe, is seeing a very dry season, which is getting longer than expected and it is also happening more frequently.

“Climate change is a reality and is affecting South Africa. I’ve been informed by my advisers that the earliest we can expect rainfall is in December,” she said.

She said she takes full ownership and responsibility for the issues they can control. She said everything needs to be done to fight water shortages.

“In our country, Rand Water has begun to impose water restrictions as a cautionary measure. There is no need to panic, but we need to be wise about water.”

Sipho Mosai, the executive chief of Rand Water, said water consumption in Rand Water’s supply area has become unsustainable from a high water consumption point of view.

“We have observed that some consumption has shot up to 5 000 litres of water per day. The normal average of consumption is 4 300 litres a day.”

• People are advised to take two minutes in a shower.

• The lawn must be watered with buckets, not pipes.

• Use water for drinking.

• When brushing teeth, close your tap.