Province’s water crisis – disaster fast looming

WHILE the country’s attention is focused on the drought in the Western Cape, the people of the Eastern Cape are suffering quietly as the dam levels are hovering at about 35%, and in some areas there is not a drop to drink.

The drought is a consequence of the El Nino, a phenomenon that brings about dry conditions in some parts of the province.

Our major dams are losing water at an alarming rate and unless parts of the province receive substantial rain, a disaster of unprecedented proportions is looming.

With growing pressures due to climate change, drought is taking its own course in the Eastern Cape.

The little rains that have fallen in some parts of the province have not had much impact on our dry dams, the drought is still hitting hard and our precious water resources are declining daily.

I believe it is on the government agenda to bring solutions to the water crisis in the province.

The abnormal heatwave has also increased evaporation rates at our dams and rivers.

This unusual drought demands responses from all sectors to plan together and address this water shortage. I encourage those municipalities that transport [thousands of] litres of water per day with trucks to provide relief to our communities, and to continue with that mandate, and that water restrictions be adhered to religiously.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in the province has joined hands with other departments, municipalities and the business fraternity to discuss the possible solutions that will address water shortages before the situation gets worse. Water is a valuable resource across all features of social and economic life in the province and it must be managed properly for the sake of stability.

The integrated approach taken by the department to address sustainability of water use management and the distribution and pricing of water is a good gesture that must be supported by all.