The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has announced a series of nationwide activities in March to highlight government’s response to water security challenges, infrastructure maintenance and investment, as South Africa observes National Water Month.
Commemorated annually from 1 – 31 March, National Water Month underscores the importance of managing water as a shared national resource and strengthening resilience for future generations.
The campaign is led by the Department of Water and Sanitation, and promotes water conservation, infrastructure development, and collective action to safeguard the country’s limited water resources.
The programme builds on the United Nations’ World Water Day, commemorated globally on 22 March each year. World Water Day raises awareness about the millions of people who still lack access to clean and safe drinking water, and galvanises global efforts to achieve universal access to safe water by 2030, in line with sustainable development goals.
National Water Month expands this focus locally by promoting the sustainable management of freshwater resources and advocating for long-term water security.
Water and gender
This year’s World Water Day focuses on the the, 'Water and Gender', under the slogan, 'Where Water Flows, Equality Grows'. It places women and girls at the centre of water solutions. It calls for their voices, leadership and agency to be fully recognised in water governance and decision-making processes.
The theme advances a transformative, rights-based approach to addressing water challenges.
In a statement, the department noted that in many communities, women and girls spend hours collecting water, limiting their time for education, economic participation and family care.
“Safe access to water eases these burdens, enhancing health, safety and opportunities. When women and girls participate equally in water governance, services become more inclusive, sustainable, and effective. Water then transforms into a catalyst for a healthier, prosperous and gender-equal future, benefiting us all,” the department said.
Infrastructure investment and water supply interventions
The Department of Water and Sanitation is currently implementing various bulk water supply schemes in some parts of the country to ensure municipalities have sufficient potable water to supply to communities.
In addition, large-scale water resource development projects are underway nationally and are reported to be progressing relatively well.
“The DWS is also exploring further water projects development to augment to the current available surface water, such as leveraging on groundwater, desalination of sea water, protection of freshwater springs and wastewater reuse,” the department highlighted.
Throughout the month of March, the Ministry of Water and Sanitation will lead engagements across the country to assess progress on various projects under implementation and bring together communities, experts and innovators to find solutions to water security challenges. Discussions will focus on conservation, pollution, climate change impacts, as well as flood and drought management.
The department will also encourage entities, role players, partners and stakeholders, as well as the general public to participate in a new orientation around the country’s water resources to ensure future sustainability, affordable and reliable access to safe water and sanitation for socio-economic growth, while respecting environment. – SAnews.gov.za
