In celebrating National Water Week 2018, the Department of Water and Sanitation has called on South Africans to increase their care and respect for water as a scarce resource.
“Everyone can make a difference, it doesn’t matter how big or small,” the department said.
A few examples on how to save water every day is simply by closing the tap while brushing your teeth, when you bath don’t fill the tub to the top, and take shorter showers.
One can also use a small amount of water to rinse a razor instead of underneath a running tap; when washing dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running for rinsing.
The department reiterated that it is everyone’s responsibility to report problems with water quality, burst pipes and to fix household leaks.
A slow dripping tap can waste 20 litres or more a day, the department said.
March is the month of water in South Africa with the celebrations of National Water Week, while the international community celebrates World Water Day on 22 March.
South Africans will be celebrating National Water Week 2018 from 18 – 24 March 2018 under the theme “Access to safe water by 2030 – possible through nature”.
The aim of having a week dedicated to water issues is to educate South Africans to become aware of the challenges and to change habits and decisions they make today, as they will impact on the water cycle tomorrow.
The National Water Week is an awareness campaign by the department that serves as a powerful mechanism reiterating the value of water, the need for sustainable management of this scarce resource, and the role water plays in eradicating poverty and underdevelopment in South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za
