The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will reach out to district municipalities, businesses, universities and community members during National Water Week.
The department called on stakeholders and South Africans to advance the centrality of water and sanitation to all communities in the province during the month of March and beyond.
National Water Week 2022
In 1993, the United Nations designated March 22 as World Water Day, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness of the billions of people living without access to safe drinking water.
As this day is about taking action to decisively address the water challenges facing the world, South Africans will observe National Water Week from March 20-26, 2022.
The National Water Week campaign aims to educate the public about their responsibility in water conservation initiatives and how to conserve South Africa’s water resources.
Theme: “Groundwater – making the invisible visible”
The theme for this year’s National Water Week is: “Groundwater – Making the Invisible Visible”. During the “Value Water” campaign in 2021, the department said:
“Years from now, the demand for water could exceed the amount of water available in our country. This means we need to use and share our water more efficiently.
Water-scarce South Africa has been named one of the 30 driest countries in the world in 2021 – a problem exacerbated by a rapidly growing population, climate change and unpredictable rainfall.
Water Conservation Efforts in the Northwest
The North West DWS said this month’s collaborative activities will “address current and future water challenges facing South Africa, particularly in the North West Province.
The province’s DWS leader, Chadwick Lobakeng, said education and public awareness activities will be carried out across the province. He pleaded with everyone involved to advocate for water conservation and protection.
The ministry will continue to support all water users who supply communities with water, a task made easier since municipalities in the region have acquired technically qualified personnel to ensure a sustainable water supply.
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“Chronic factors” at play in the northwest
Unfortunately, the North West is one of the provinces where water losses are high. A recent study conducted in the province showed the amount of water used and the amount lost.
“Some of the materials used to supply water contribute to physical loss or leakage; more so where some municipalities still use AC mains which cannot withstand the water pressure,” Lobakeng said.
At a recent water summit held in February, “chronic factors” such as climate change, population growth and water pollution were cited.
These issues “exacerbate current water challenges and this should encourage water users to consistently employ rational water use in their daily activities,” another stakeholder, Sputnik Ratau, said in a statement. .
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