SA loses R7bn water each year, says minister

Alex Matlala

South Africa, a water-scarce country, racks up R7 billion in water losses annually, according to Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane.

Mokonyane was addressing the Western Cape Water Indaba, held in Goudini Spa in Rawsonville yesterday.

She said the study was done by the University of Stellenbosch and was commissioned by the Water Research Commission in 2012.

“It is, therefore, of vital importance for government and communities to improve our ability to maintain the existing infrastructure to prevent and repair the current leaks in order to reduce the loss,” said Mokonyane during the indaba.

At the indaba, delegates will provide inputs on the drought and advise how to create a sustainable water future for the country.

The country’s dams are presently at 77.2% of capacity, which is better than last year’s 54%.

Last year, Cabinet declared eight provinces disaster areas, the only exception being Gauteng.

Many dams are at satisfactory levels, although North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga still face challenges.

The minister said the Western Cape, hard-hit by drought, was experiencing serious water problems. The province has winter rain and dry summers.

A team comprising officials from the department of water and sanitation and the national disaster management committee were working with the province to ensure that short- to medium-term solutions were fast-tracked to guarantee the water security of the province.