Communities urged to save water

Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, speaking on behalf of the Social Protection, Community and Human Development Cluster says all communities must help government protect water infrastructure, use water sparingly and reduce consumption. Image: GCIS

"As a country we must try to reduce our water consumption and stop wasting it. The [practices] of recycling and reuse must be undertaken by all, including commercial consumers and the communities," Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga said.

She was speaking on behalf of the Social Protection, Community and Human Development Cluster, which gave a progress report in Pretoria on its priority programmes.

"South Africa needs to save water through conservation and water demand management," said Motshekga adding that initiatives such as the "War on Leaks" intervention, were proving successful.

The call to save water follows the recent supply interruptions in Gauteng after the water supply to parts of Ekurhuleni, the West Rand, Johannesburburg and Tshwane affected left thousands of residents and businesses without water.

The Rand Water Board said that the main cause of the interruptions was ageing infrastructure, but this was exacerbated by criminals who stole power cables and causing electricity disruptions.

The water supply problems began with a power loss at Eikenhof pump station, which supplies water to more than 40% of Johannesburg.

A back-up transformer used to maintain electrical power failed, causing reservoirs in the province to run low.

"We are also pleading with communities protect the infrastructure that is in place," Motshekga said.