KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Senzo Mchunu has called on elected public representatives to be at the forefront of the fight against water leaks in the province. This follows his visit to KwaMashu yesterday as part of the War on Water Leaks Campaign.
“Water leaks and illegal connections do not only occur in residential areas but this is also widespread in various industrial areas. In this regard, government is committed to working with captains of industry, business chambers, small and commercial farmers in order to ensure that we comply with the water laws in the country.”
“We are encouraging communities to report water leaks and illegal connections to the relevant authorities such as municipal offices and law enforcement agencies. Through the War on Water Leaks Campaign we are educating the people of this province about the importance of fixing leaking taps in their homes. We will continue with this campaign across the province and mayors and councillors must demonstrate leadership and be at the forefront of this campaign.”
“In the INK Area (Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu) about 533 leaks have been identified and fixed. About 375 illegal connections have been removed. 950 cases have been investigated. We are grateful that the Department of Water and Sanitation has set aside R2, 4 million to assist eThekwini Municipality to deal with water leaks in the INK area.”
“I was informed that one drop per second from a leaking tap wastes up to 30 litres of water an hour. In other words this simple means that one household is wasting 10 000 litres of water per year. This excludes water leaks in schools, hospitals, clinics, government offices, public buildings and other recreational facilities in various municipalities.”
“KZN and Durban in particular, being one of the economic and industrialized hubs of South Africa would be affected without adequate provision of water. We need water for consumption by ordinary members of the public and we also need water for industrial development. Water security will define industrial development and it will also ensure that we are able to ensure a better life for all.”
“At the end of second quarter in December 2012, eThekwini Municipality was losing more than 237 million litres a day - an increase of 3.467 million litres every day when compared to the whole of the 2011/12 financial year period. In 2011/12 the eThekwini Municipality a total of 85.6 billion litres – more than 234 million of litres a day - was lost.”
“As government we undertake to ensure that resources are allocated for public awareness programmes that will educate communities about efficient water use and the importance of active participation in reducing water loss in this province.”
“I am encouraging municipalities to use the Municipal Water Infrastructure Grant to implement water conservation programme in order to turn the situation around the situation.”
“In order to strengthen the War on Water Leaks Campaign municipalities must develop a concrete Programme of Action in partnerships with Water Service Authorities, Water Boards and other bodies such as Water Research Commission, Strategic Water Partners Network, the KwaZulu-Natal Water Conservation Forum and tertiary institutions.”
Enquiries:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Cell: 082 375 4742
