Safe water for everyone

As we celebrate the Human Rights Day on March 21, we need to remember that water is a basic human right and that everyone must have access to the source of life. Chapter 8 of the constitution recognises the right to sufficient water for everyone.

As with every right, there are responsibilities attached. It is therefore the responsibility of every citizen to ensure that we all have access to water by using the available water in a wise and conservative manner, prevent wastage and the pollution of the water resources. Basically, it is important to use water in a manner that takes into consideration that others must also get a share of this important resource.

As we celebrate Water Month at the end of the rainy season, it is critical that we all strengthen water conservation efforts and initiatives, and use the available water in a wise and efficient way for security of supply.

It is our responsibility to ensure safe water for everyone by preventing the pollution of water resources.

Water pollution affects the water quality and is a serious threat to the right of access to safe water and can lead to the spread of disease, infringing on the right to health.

Vandalism of water infrastructure is an infringement of people’s right to access water, so let us protect our water infrastructure to ensure reliable and safe supply of the source of life for all.

Themba Khoza works for the Department of Water and Sanitation