Programme to train 15 000 unemployed youth to fix leaks, help conserve water

President Jacob Zuma launched the War on Leaks programme in Port Elizabeth last month.

This programme aims to decrease the number of water leaks by training and professionalising unemployed youth to improve the overall wateruse efficiency within municipalities, communities and households.

The end result will improve water conservation, raise water demand management awareness and instil appreciation for water in municipalities, communities and households.

During his State of the Nation Address in February, Zuma said the country loses R7 billion a year to water losses.

Zuma said: “To mitigate this challenge, government, through the Department of Water and Sanitation, will train 15 000 artisans and plumbers who will fix leaking taps in their local communities.”

Up to now, 3 000 learners from different provinces have been recruited, including 150 learners from the Western Cape.

Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane officially mandated Rand Water as the project implementing agent.

The learners will be trained as artisans, plumbers and water agents.

All qualified learners will be deployed to various priority municipalities after their training.

The project will be implemented in three phases which will see 15 000 learners recruited by the end of 2017.

The department would like to appeal to communities to be responsible and save water.

They must close leaking taps and report leaking pipes to local authorities.

Malusi Rayi

Deputy Director of Communications Department of Water and Sanitation