Water is precious

CAPE Town’s water problem has deteriorated to the point mayor Patricia De Lille has called it a serious crisis. As we report today, the mayor said she would approach the provincial government to have Cape Town officially declared an emergency disaster area.

While the situation is dire many consumers refuse to heed the city’s appeals to conserve this irreplaceable resource. These consumers include people who reside in affluent suburbs and people in disadvantaged areas.

Among the culprits are car washes where water gets used as if there is no tomorrow. They include car washes in rich and poor areas. To say their waste of water is scandalous would be an understatement. Yes, some car washers would argue that they operate businesses. Others would argue they create jobs and put bread on people’s tables.

There may be merit in these arguments, but that is no good reason to waste water. Imagine what they’ll do if there is no water at all.

But these car washers are not alone – they are being aided and abetted by vehicle owners turning a blind eye as precious water gets wasted as their cars are cleaned. We urge these vehicle owners to be civil minded.

THIS said, the city also has to do some serious introspection. If the matter has become such a crisis as the mayor says, why in heavens name are there still no moves towards intensifying water restrictions? And why is there a lacklustre response when residents complain about leaks or burst pipes? It is reported dam levels are so low we have just over 100 days of water left. Yet so many people simply don’t give a damn. But there are also many, many people who do the right thing. These are the consumers conscious of the fact water has no substitute.

As for those who use boreholes or well points and whose garden sprinklers get to work every day, we say – yes sure, you may not necessarily be using potable drinking water, but consider that what you do is actually insensitive.