Page 25 - IFV Issue 3 March 2023

Rand Water Editorial

USING WATER RESPONSIBLY,

THE WATER WISE WAY

Water Wise is the environmental brand of Rand Water, aiming to educate

South Africans on how to use water efficiently (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 semi-arid country that
receives less than half the annual average rainfall
Sreceived by the rest of the world. Rainfall is not
distributed evenly throughout the year or across the country.
South Africa is also classified as water scarce, based on
climatic conditions and water demands. Simply put, water
scarcity means there is not enough water to meet all the
demands of a region. There are a number of factors that
contribute to South Africa’s water crisis, including:
1. Non-revenue water (NRW): this is the water that
doesn’t reach the end user and is lost through leaks and
unbilled unmetered water. South Africa’s NRW loss is 41%,
whereas the global best practise is 15%.
2. South Africa’s water use: on average is approximately
235 litres of water per person per day versus the global
average use of 173 litres per person per day.
3. Ageing infrastructure: the country’s water network is
over 30 years old, and in many circumstances much older,
and while it is not suitable for the increased demand, it is
also not being maintained.
4. Overpopulation: by 2019, the country had already
exceeded the population numbers expected for 2030. The
current figure for South Africa is over 60 million.
5. Urbanisation: 63% of South Africans live in urban areas
and this is expected to reach 71% by 2030.

Rand Water is legally restricted to a certain volume of water of the public were uncertain as to why restrictions were put
they are allowed to abstract from the Vaal Dam for treatment. in place, specifically because dam levels in the Integrated
If abstraction levels get too close to limitations, Rand Water is Vaal River System (IVRS) were high, which caused frustration
forced to impose volumetric restrictions on municipalities. It is amongst end users.
then the responsibility of municipalities to impose water use Water restrictions that are imposed on end users by
restrictions on the end user. Recently, Rand Water was forced the municipalities are put in place to reduce demand.
to reduce the pressure of water supply to municipalities by Unfortunately, various restrictions, such as that on watering
30% (Level 2) using a process called flow control management, times, can have a severe impact on many businesses, including
due to an increased demand. the green industry. The water wise mandate is to provide
This increase was partly a result of high temperatures, in education on water related principles and practises to assist
addition to load shedding, which meant that municipalities industry and the public in conserving water and reducing
were unable to keep reservoir levels full enough to ensure a demand.
regular supply of water. The increase in demand and low water
levels in reservoirs resulted in certain areas in Johannesburg For more information on how Water Wise can help, visit the
Rand Water website and click on the Water Wise logo, or email
receiving very low pressure water or no water at all. Members waterwise@randwater.co.za.

The Villager • Issue 3 2023 • 23