World Water Day

Written by Justin

On Sep 26, 2019

The national water day is an annually celebrated day on the 22nd of March. It is the day that the United Nation uses to promote the sustainable management of freshwater resources as promulgated on the Sustainable Development Goal No. 6; “Access to water andsustainable management of water resources”.  According to Stats SA (General Household Survey, 2016) 88% of South African household have access to piped water. There has been an increase as compared to the 81.2% in 1996. Hence the increase, it must be noted that there are challenges in the water sector. Some of these challenges are natural while some are dueto human activities.

The earth is covered approximately by 71 % ofwater, while oceans comprises of 97% of water  of which is mostly salty. Freshwater ( naturallyoccurring water in ice sheets, ice caps, ponds, rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands excludingseawater and brackish( Pof et al 2002) only makes up 2.5%, of this 2.5% only 0.001 is available or accessible for consumption(drinking, agriculture and industrial use) ( USGS, 2017). This basis implies that consumable waterglobally is limited (WWAP 2003). Historically South Africa is a water scarce country coupled with climatic variation ( low rainfall, droughts, high temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns), alien and invasive species, alarming population growth and influx migration (high demand for settlement, water and development), economic growth, pollution, dilapidated water infrastructures, industrialization and mining activities, (DEA, 2011).

South Africa is part of the semi-arid region which is characterized with average low rainfall (DWAF, 2000). Therefore, these natural and human based challenges require proper planning and management of water resources. The leadership of South Africa (government) must give direction in terms of water resource management. The government must develop and review water management strategies, establish initiatives and implementation strategies. These strategies must be people based (inclusive from planning, construction or development, operation to maintenance) instead of technical approach. Establish and involve communities on programs such as wetland restoration, alien and invasive control and management, pollution control and maintenance of water infrastructure. Practice sustainable land use management and control and protect the environment.

Communities particularly Environmental Graduates and youth must play a role in waterresource management. They must educate people about the importance of water resource management, pollution, invasive species with regards to water and environmental compliance (ensure that industries in local areas comply with environmental law) and also build community capacity (empower people with environmental knowledge so as to promote community effective and sound participation or involvement in environmental issues). The government own in its own cannot succeed in addressing the issue of water. Therefore, all of us must play our part.

Written by: Kanyane Jabulani Leonard

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