Cape Town citizens are encouraged to keep saving water until the City finalises a long-term plan to ensure water security. That despite the announcement of Deputy Mayor, Ian Neilson, to move water restrictions from Level 6B to Level 5 from the 1st of October 2018. But will this be enough to prevent Cape Town from another Day Zero scare? 2015 and 2016 saw 2 consecutive years … [Read more...]
Companies celebrate World Water Day collaboration
Dignitaries, celebrities and CEO’s celebrated World Water Day last week at the V&A Waterfront in collaboration with SOS Save Our Schools (SOS). SOS campaigns highlight and assist with water security and access to water as a basic human right to enable dignity. Save Our Schools (SOS) and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) are working together to build a Water … [Read more...]
Water crisis demands immediate policy coherence
I get the sense that the harsh reality of both the Cape Town and Ugu water crises is now starting to sink in. Over the past weeks I have been increasingly inundated by both private and public requests for information. This has given me a “feel” for the sentiment within major constituencies. These include: investors (concerned about their capital, but increasingly … [Read more...]
Coming together for water crisis awareness and solutions
Water is essential to sustaining all forms of life on Earth – a heavenly gift. Yet, driven most critically by climate change, water crises are on the rise and access to safe, clean water for drinking and for purposes of sanitation – as well as, of course, agriculture – is becoming increasingly problematic in many parts of the world, including our own. It is also becoming … [Read more...]
Africa’s sacred natural sites under threat
Kenya and Africa are home to many Sacred Natural Sites, including forests, mountains and rivers. Local and indigenous communities have upheld their role and responsibilities, passed down over centuries by their grandparents and ancestors, as the Guardians or Custodians of these places. It is because of the communities’ deep respect towards their Sacred Natural Sites, and … [Read more...]
Eskom is ‘burning SA’s water’ to produce electricity
Water is the foundation of life: we’re unable to survive without it. But the problem is that water is scarce, and this country is running out of it. More than 98% of South Africa’s water has already been allocated, and this country is facing a severe water crisis in the coming decade. We’re going to face skyrocketing water prices, droughts due to climate change and … [Read more...]
9 Million rands invested in water catchment
WWF-SA's Water Balance Programme recently received R9 million from Nedbank to invest in South Africa's critical water catchment areas. The Water Balance Programme aims to challenge and empower corporate South Africa to help create a water secure future by reducing demand, increasing supply and maintaining the health of the country's high water provisioning catchments. Dr … [Read more...]
Half of humanity to live in high water stress by 2030
River systems have undergone more severe changes than any other ecosystem type in recent decades, primarily due to human activities. UNESCO's Third World Water Development Report predicts that nearly half of humanity will be living in areas of high water stress by 2030. In water scarce South Africa, the Endangered Wildlife Trust is addressing the problem through its Healthy … [Read more...]
Rainwater harvesting answer for Africa
Experts are lobbying for rainwater harvesting to help solve Africa's water crisis. This is a neglected, yet cheap and simple water supply technique. The continent is running out of water, but many governments are not moving fast enough to replenish sources or enact water-friendly laws. The 15th African International Water Congress was held in Kampala recently. Here over … [Read more...]
Whose water is it anyway?
'Whatever we do to the water bodies on this planet, we're doing to ourselves.' Both Earth and our human bodies consist of 70% water and 30% solids. 'On this planet the water cycle and the life cycle is one,' said Helen Lockart of the Two Oceans Aquarium on World Water Day. Water is our lifeline - without water we cannot survive longer than a day or two. Most people are … [Read more...]
