Page 9 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 2_2023

Travel
Water matters

Water Wise is the environmental brand of Rand Water, aiming

to educate South Africans on efficient water use (water
conservation), reduce wasteful water use, prevent water pollution,

pay for water, protect water sources and implement business
practises and principles that are water wise.

outh Africa is a naturally a country’s water network is 30% (Level 2) using a process called
semi-arid country that receives over 30 years old, and in many flow control management, due to an
Can you believe it –
less than half the annual circumstances much older, and increased demand.
Saverage rainfall received by while it is not suitable for the
YouTube is 17 years old!
the rest of the world. Rainfall is not increased demand, it is also This increase was partly a result of
distributed evenly throughout the year not being maintained. high temperatures, in addition to
or across the country. South Africa is And did you know that
load shedding, which meant that
also classified as water scarce, based on 4. Overpopulation: by 2019, the municipalities were unable to keep
climatic conditions and water demands. country had already exceeded reservoir levels full enough to ensure
Simply put, water scarcity means the population numbers YouTube remains the
a regular supply of water. The increase
there is not enough water to meet all expected for 2030. The current in demand and low water levels in
unrivalled dominant social
the demands of a region. There are a figure for South Africa is over reservoirs resulted in certain areas
number of factors that contribute to 60 million. in Johannesburg receiving very low
South Africa’s water crisis, including: media site for teens? A
pressure water or no water at all.
5. Urbanisation: 63% of South Members of the public were uncertain
study published in October
1. Non-revenue water (NRW): African’s live in urban areas as to why restrictions were put in place,
this is the water that doesn’t and this is expected to reach specifically because dam levels in the
reach the end-user and 71% by 2030. Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS)
is lost through leaks and 2022 revealed that 95%
were high, which caused frustration
unbilled unmetered water. amongst end users.
South Africa’s NRW loss is Rand Water is legally restricted of teenagers claimed to
41%, whereas the global best to a certain volume of water they
practise is 15%. are allowed to abstract from Water restrictions that are imposed
on end users by the municipalities
the Vaal Dam for treatment. If use YouTube, followed by
abstraction levels get too close to are put in place to reduce demand.
2. South Africa’s water use on limitations, Rand Water is forced Unfortunately, various restrictions, such
TikTok at 67%.
average is approximately 235 to impose volumetric restrictions as that on watering times, can have
litres of water per person per on municipalities. It is then the a severe impact on many businesses,
day versus the global average responsibility of municipalities to including the green industry. The water
use of 173 litres per person impose water use restrictions on wise mandate is to provide education
per day. the end user. Recently, Rand Water on water related principles and practises
was forced to reduce the pressure to assist industry and the public in
3. Ageing infrastructure: the of water supply to municipalities by conserving water and reducing demand.

Rand Water is legally restricted to a certain
volume of water they are allowed to abstract
from the Vaal Dam for treatment.

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