The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has teamed up with Rand Water and Brandscapers Africa to promote water conservation in Orlando West, in Soweto.
This was part of the Drop-by-Drop Outreach Programme held at Uncle Tom’s Community Centre on Thursday.
The collaboration underscores the department’s commitment to working with key stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of saving water and reporting leaks, which remain critical to ensuring sustainable water supply for all.
The outreach programme took place in Soweto, one of Johannesburg’s most affected areas when it comes to water shortages.
Johannesburg has been experiencing repeated water supply challenges, often resulting in service delivery protests.
“Bringing the outreach programme to Soweto is a proactive and prompt effort to engage with residents directly on issues of water conservation, infrastructure maintenance, and leak reporting – empowering communities to be part of the solution to the city’s water challenges,” the Department of Water and Sanitation said in a statement.
On Friday, the team carried out a river clean-up activity along the Klip River as part of efforts to promote environmental stewardship and to protect local water resources.
In addition to the clean-up, the team conducted a door-to-door campaign engaging directly with residents of Orlando West to raise awareness about water conservation and the responsible use of water.
During these visits, residents were also requested to respond to a questionnaire designed to identify water-related challenges they face in their communities.
According to the department, the information gathered will assist Rand Water Water-Wise Team in developing targeted interventions and strengthening future community support initiatives.
Department of Water and Sanitation Gauteng Provincial Head, Justice Maluleke, addressed the community of Orlando West, emphasising the critical need to repair and report water leakages and to use water sparingly.
Maluleke said the engagement served as an important platform to empower residents with practical knowledge on saving water and encouraging collective responsibility in safeguarding water, as well as water infrastructure.
“South Africa does not have enough water, in fact, it is one of the driest countries in the world. Our pattern of rainfall far differs from what other countries are getting, and it is becoming worse due to climate change. It calls of us to rethink how we use water,” he said.
He explained that in South Africa people use about 300 litres of water per person per day, while the global average is about 173 litres per person per day.
Maluleke explained that the high use of water as compared to the global average is due to water lost through leaks and irresponsible water use.
“DWS will always support initiatives like this, because if we implement what we are discussing here we are going to solve future problems and ensure sustainable water supply for all. The core of what we need to go out and do, as individuals, as institutions, is to try and manage our water use, especially by fixing the leaks, or getting those who know to assist us to fix water leaks. This does not assist in saving water, but it also has economic value because the water bill goes down,” he said.
Maluleke expressed his concern about residents who are not paying for their water as indigents or those who are living in informal settlements. He pleaded with all who are getting free water to use it sparingly.
Maluleke issued a stern warning to those who bypass water meters or connect illegally to water infrastructures.
“The Department of Water and Sanitation together with its entities pleads with residents to be responsible water users,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
