Muslims pushing back Day Zero

CAPE TOWN’S Muslim community – more than a million strong and served by about 150 mosques – are taking steps to save water.

Awqaf South Africa, an endowment-receiving organisation, has stepped in to help. It has been focusing on making mosques water wise to cut down usage and costs.

Deputy chief executive Mickaeel Collier, said the idea was to supply Jo-Jo tanks and, where possible, sink boreholes. If the centres were to be equipped with 2 000-litre water containers then, in a possible Day Zero scenario, water tankers could fill the Jo-Jos. Water could be distributed to those who needed it

Masjid ul-Moejahidien, an underprivileged community in Manenberg, was chosen for the project. Experts found that the tap flow in the ablution section was high and it was reduced.

Collier said water-saving taps with aerators were installed. On the roof, a double layer of Perspex gutters was used to intensify rain harvesting. Rainfall would flow into the Jo-Jo tanks, which could be connected to the water reticulation system for use inside the mosque.

“Economically vulnerable communities need interventions like these to make them resilient against environmental challenges,” said Collier. – Staff Reporter

‘VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES NEED INTERVENTION’