As South Africans, we are fortunate to have an abundance of water resources, like rivers, streams, lakes, and dams, in our midst and it should be noted that these resources also contribute to our rich heritage.
During Heritage Month, it is crucial to celebrate and appreciate these resources while also practicing judicious water usage. By taking practical measures, we can uphold water as our heritage and ensure its sustainability.
As much as we celebrate water as our heritage, we also need to continue to practice responsible water usage. Our communities need to empower themselves with information on water conservation.
One of the most effective ways to reduce water consumption is by upgrading to a dual-flush low-flow toilet model or installing a conversion kit on your current one. These options provide different water usage levels based on your needs, helping to reduce unnecessary water wastage.
Instead of using a hosepipe to wash your car, consider using a bucket of water and a sponge. This simple switch can save a substantial amount of water, as hosepipes can use up to nine litres of water per minute.
As the Department, we will continue to educate our communities about the importance of water conservation. This is done through workshops, educational campaigns, and community initiatives that promote responsible water usage. As, we celebrate our heritage, let us take consider our water resources as part of our heritage and we need to treat this finite resource as such.
As South Africans celebrate heritage month, people will engage in recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, or picnics near rivers, lakes, and dams. Many of us will go to those sources of water to have good time, but it is also important to be safe around those sources of water. Let’s not take unnecessary risks around water.
Let us celebrate this Heritage Month to embrace our water resources. They are our natural water resources are our heritage, and we need to protect them at all costs. Let us keep them free from pollution or contamination.
Tshigofatso Mashile is a Communicator in Gauteng Department of Water and Sanitation
