Daily Dispatch

Making every drop count

INSUFFICIENT rainfall in recent months has left parts of the Eastern Cape teetering on the brink of disaster. The national Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) on Friday released the province’s latest dam levels, which revealed critically low levels in the Amathole District Municipality. If the data is to be believed, the province finds itself in a precarious situation. According to the ADM, Butterworth and surrounding areas could soon run out of water because dams supplying the area are the lowest they have ever been. Warning bells were first sounded about a month ago, with the local authority hoping for adequate rain to mitigate an emergency situation. However, rainfall has been scarce.

Butterworth falls within the Mnquma local municipality, which has a population of more than 280 000 residents. The prospect of thousands of people not having immediate access to water is frightening to say the least. Already water supply to the area and other parts of the province has been rationed for months now.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Metro is said to be the hardest hit in the Eastern Cape while the Buffalo City Metro has also been forced to introduce water restrictions.

Commenting on Butterworth’s water situation, Sputnik Ratau of DWS said two water tankers had been dispatched to the town to help ease the burden. A few months ago, the department set up a special task team to find short- and long-term solutions to curb the effects of the unrelenting drought in the Eastern and Western Cape.

With the latest dam levels revealing the extent of the crisis in Butterworth particularly, the question is what is government doing to increase water supply to the affected areas and ensuring the taps do not run completely dry? Trucking in water is a temporary solution for now. The water crisis currently facing the residents of Butterworth and other drought-stricken parts of the province and country is a threat to all of us if we continue to be reckless in our use of this precious commodity.

While local municipalities have a responsibility to promptly respond to reports of water leaks, we also have a responsibility not to waste water. We have to go back to basics and it starts with every single one of us. Even a slow drip from a leaking tap can waste up to 30 litres of water a day.

By making simple changes in our daily routines, we can avoid a possibly disastrous situation. For example, using a dishwasher can waste a lot of water if not full. Waterwise initiatives encourage users to either wait for a full load of dishes before making use of a dishwasher or doing it be hand. Each toilet flush uses about 35 litres of water, which is why it is encouraged to only flush when necessary. Other simple changes that can be introduced, include taking fiveminute showers, not letting the water run while brushing teeth and minimising how often you wash your car. Many of us take for granted the privilege of being able to have running water at a simple turn of a tap.

We all have a part to play in preserving water sources. These may seem like minor and even unnecessary adjustments to our lives, but they will go a long way in securing our prized water resources.