WATER CRISIS MUST BE AVERTED

A NATIONAL dialogue should be held immediately to come up with innovative ways to respond to the current water challenges being experienced in various parts of the country.

Not too long ago, South Africa had the distinct honour of being one of the few countries in the world in which people could drink tap water without any fear of getting sick. However, a lack of maintenance, the exodus of experienced engineers to run water treatment plants, and falling standards of service delivery have changed that.

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in Gqeberha is experiencing its worst water challenges to date, with authorities urging residents to “boil the water before consuming it” because of contamination. The authorities have also expressed fears that the municipality will run out of water due to an ongoing drought.

In eThekwini Municipality, damaged water infrastructure due to the recent floods has made an already bad water situation worse. Some communities in Durban, including oThogathi, have been without water since the floods.

The city’s deputy mayor, Philani Mavundla, has admitted that it will take more than six months for water to be restored. A recent probe conducted by our sister publication, the Sunday Tribune, has revealed that while authorities have given the nod for water consumption, tap water in some northern parts of the city contain coliform bacteria. Coliforms are present in the digestive tracts of animals, and are found in faeces.

Not too long ago, the Western Cape was also going through a serious drought, where Day Zero became a distinct possibility. In many parts of the country, the quality of tap water has taken a serious knock. If a national conversation is not held immediately to arrest this situation, the ramifications will be dire.

Real conflicts over water in communities would become commonplace, and the country would descend into chaos. Cholera, diarrhoea and waterborne diseases would be commonplace. More importantly, if we don’t do anything about this impending disaster, the country’s already ailing economy will go downhill, with foreign investors fleeing in numbers.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu and those in control of various water boards have to do everything in their power to ensure that the country is not plunged into a water crisis.