Mitigating SA’s water scarcity

SOUTH Africa is a water-scarce country and one of the driest in the world, which means that we need to use every drop of available water in a wise and beneficial way.

As a water-scarce country, South Africa is also receiving below world average rainfall, and the situation has been made worse by climate change, meaning less and less water available for the country.

Climate change, pollution and population growth are some of the key issues contributing to a worldwide water crisis, which therefore calls for the innovative and wise use of the available water to ensure water security for all.

Most parts of the country are receiving much-sought-after rainfall, especially as we head towards the dry winter season. It is crucial that we all make good use of the rainwater as it falls.

It is important that we practise rainwater harvesting and use the rainwater to relieve the strain on our water supply schemes and systems.

Rainwater harvesting reduces the stress on our water resources and estuaries, from less extraction from rivers and dams during the rainy seasons, and at the same time makes storing more water possible for use during the dry season – ensuring reliable water supply for all throughout the year.

Rainwater harvesting prevents the wastage of rainwater through run-offs, and the rainwater can then be productively used around the household and garden.

Rainwater can be fruitfully utilised for irrigation, flushing toilets, laundry, and washing cars and other items.

Rainwater harvesting can play a major role in relieving the stress on our overstretched water resources.

We can use the water in our waterharvesting tanks for our everyday chores and thereby reduce the utilisation of the water from the municipal system, thereby relieving the pressure on the water resources.

Harvesting rainwater has many benefits for people and the environment.

It reduces over-reliance on the municipal systems, thereby reducing the water bill.

Rainwater harvesting reduces the consumption of potable water, thereby promoting water conservation. It also ensures environmental benefits, in that the water resources are not-over-stretched and depleted, and the environment is spared from degradation.

As responsible citizens, let us be proactive and use rainwater during the times of plenty and store some to use during the dry seasons, when water becomes limited, thereby reducing the strain on the water supply schemes and our water resources.

Let us embrace and practise rainwater harvesting to secure a future with enough water.

Let us harvest rainwater and save.