Page 5 - Landscape-Issue123

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

Landscape SA • Issue 123 2023 3