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RAND WATER EDITORIAL

WATER WISE: RAND WATER’S

ENVIRONMENTAL BRAND

South Africa is a naturally semi-arid country that receives less than half the annual
average rainfall received by the rest of the world. Rainfall is also spatially and

temporally variable, which means it is not distributed evenly throughout the year
or across the country.

he availability of water is affected by both environmental and
human effects, all of which combine to make South Africa
Tthe 30th driest country in the world. By 2035, water demand
is expected to exceed supply by 10%. If planned water schemes
aren’t carried out, it is estimated that this gap could increase to
21%. South Africa is also classified as water scarce. Water scarcity is
the volumetric abundance or lack of water expressed as the ratio of
human water consumption to available water supply in a given area,
and can be measured over time and across regions. This is based
mainly on climatic conditions and water demands. Simply put, water
scarcity means there is not enough water to meet all the demands of
a region. South Africa’s water scarcity is driven by an ever-increasing
demand for water, as well as its climate. 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. South Africa’s NRW loss is 41%,
whereas the global best practise is 15%;
2. Ageing infrastructure: the country’s water network is over 30 years
old, and in many circumstances much older, and while it is not
suited for the increased demand, it is also not being maintained;
3. Overpopulation: by 2019, the country had already exceeded the
population numbers expected for 2030. The current figure for
South Africa is over 60 million;
4. Urbanisation: 63% of South Africans live in urban areas and this is
expected to reach 71% by 2030.

Rand Water’s environmental brand, Water Wise, was developed in
1997 in response to imposed water restrictions and the need to
reduce water use. It was recognised that the use of water in the
landscape created one of the greatest demands on the supply of
potable water in the country.
Water Wise educates and influences a broad spectrum of sporadic, citing ‘wetter wets and drier dries’. A scenario of long
stakeholders. Its aim is to educate on aspects such as efficient months of very little to no rain, followed by short bursts of
water use (water conservation), reducing wasteful use, prevention excessive rainfall and resultant flood events, is set to become the
of water pollution, payment for water, protection of water sources norm. South Africans are encouraged to re-look at the way they
and implementing business practises and principles that are use and consume water, in order to prevent a serious water crisis
water wise. It refers to any activity that ensures the sustainable in the near future.
management of water resources and the environment. Water
Wise programmes are targeted at changing the behaviour of the Water Wise provides educational and awareness campaigns aimed
consumer, to understand how people perceive water, as well as at increasing the awareness of South Africa’s water situation and
what informs their relationship with water, before attempting to the inherent value of Earth’s most precious natural resource. The
assist them with changing water use habits and behaviour. only way to address a water crisis is to change peoples’ attitudes,
perceptions and behaviour towards water. The move to protect
The first step on this journey of awareness is to engage with water resources in this water-scarce country is urgent. Make a
the individual, as it is the individual who has the ability to contribution to water conservation in South Africa by becoming
initiate change. Over the years, Water Wise has employed the a Water Wise champion for your home and business. It is the goal
services of market research companies to conduct surveys of Water Wise to inform the end user of water shortages, locally
on the public’s perception of water and its conservation. The and internationally, and to assist with simple, everyday solutions
results have stimulated a drive within Water Wise to broaden the to managing sustainable water use. The responsible and wise use
understanding of how people see water. of water is essential at this time.

Climate change models and forecasts predict that South Africa’s For more information on Water Wise visit the Rand Water website and
rainfall patterns will become more and more irregular and click on the Water Wise logo, or email waterwise@randwater.co.za. n

Landscape SA • Issue 126 2023 19