Responsible use of water encouraged
The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation commemorates the annual National Water Week from the 16-22 March which will culminate with the celebration of World Water day. This week highlights the centrality of water to the economy as well as our daily lives and the importance of responsible use of this resource.
The Committee remains of the view that everyone within the borders of the country has a role to play in ensuring the responsible use of the water resources.
“We urge all citizens to use water responsibly, to report leakages as well as illegal connections. It is also a responsibility of every user to ensure that they pay for their services including water to guarantee quality water provision,” said Mr Mlungisi Johnson, the Chairperson of the Committee.
It remains concerning to the Committee that the country is faced with water related losses in excess of seven billion rand a year. This money could be used to ensure that all South Africans get access to clean running water, which is a constitutional right. The money could also be used for the maintenance and rehabilitation of current water related infrastructure.
Furthermore, the Committee urges communities to be on the lookout for vandalism and theft of water related infrastructure as the replacement of this infrastructure remains one of the highest drivers of cost for department. The Committee calls on businesses, the police and the general public to work together towards overcoming this scourge facing the country.
Furthermore, the Committee discourages scrap metal shops from buying these stolen metals and calls for immediate prosecution against shops found to be dealing with stolen metals. “It is only through a cooperative effort can society deal with this problem,” Mr Johnson emphasised.
As part of its oversight work, the Committee has committed to continuously monitoring programmes that are aimed at delivering quality clean water to every South African as envisaged by the Constitution.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Malatswa Evans Molepo
Cell: 081 512 7920
Tel: 021 403 8438
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
