War on Leaks project goes full-steam ahead

THE War on Leaks Programme was launched in 2015 by President Jacob Zuma.

This initiative aims to decrease water leaks by training and professionalising unemployed youth to improve the overall water-use efficiency within municipalities, communities and households.

The end result will raise water conservation and water demand management awareness and instil appreciation for water in municipalities, communities and household.

During his State of the Nation address in 2015, Zuma said the country lost R7 billion a year because of water losses.

The War on Leaks Programme has recruited thousands of learners nationwide and close to 600 learners come from the Western Cape. Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane officially mandated Rand Water as the project implementing agent.

The learners are being trained as artisans, plumbers and water agents. All qualified learners will be deployed to various priority municipalities after their training.

While on training these learners have hit the ground running as they are helping in water conservation awareness campaigns across the country.

While we are excited about the prospects of the War on Leaks Programme, we acknowledge the administrative teething problems associated with the implementation of the programme.

The department is striving to improve in all areas where there have been short comings associated with the programme.

This is to ensure that water leaks are reduced drastically, to minimise the unaccounted water losses which have adverse implications to the economy.

Given the drought gripping some parts of the Western Cape, fighting water leaks becomes significant to stretch water security the department appeals to communities to take responsibility to save water. They must close leaking taps and report leaking pipes to the local authorities.

MALUSI RAYI Department of Water and Sanitation, Western Cape