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The Department of Water and Sanitation in Gauteng is working tirelessly to make every drop count, this comes as the Department commemorate World Water Day in Alexandra Township under City of Johannesburg. World Water Day is observed and celebrated on the 22nd of March annually. 

Leading up to the significant day on the water calendar which is commemorated under the theme "Groundwater: making the invisible visible" for 2022,” the Department has started a week-long awareness drive from 15- 22 March in order to create awareness about the value of water and its importance on the livelihood of people. 

Groundwater is invisible, but its impact is visible everywhere. Groundwater might not be seen but it is a hidden treasure that enriches our lives as it is used in various municipalities to augment water supply. As climate change gets worse, groundwater will become more and more critical.  Therefore, we need to work together to sustainably manage this precious resource. 

According to Ms Nondumiso Mabe, Gauteng DWS Acting Provincial Head, COVID-19 has exacerbated water security challenges and laid bare the plight of our people on issues of water provision.  

“Each year, we mark the month of March as Water Month and the second week of the month as National Water Week. What we do on this week is that we have various awareness drives across the country with a specific focus on taking action to decisively tackle water challenges facing the country”, Mabe said. 

Mabe further highlighted that we need to ensure that we take measures with a view of   achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030. 

Speaking during the celebration, City of Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) Michael Sun said there is nothing heart-breaking like getting a call from an elderly person pleading for intervention to get water. “I personally do get calls and messages daily and this keeps me awake at night. It cannot continue to happen. We need to do better”, he said.

“South Africa is a water scarce country and most of our water comes from rainfall, therefore, we are susceptible to sustained droughts or climate change. It is against this background that infrastructure is being improved to address the issue of water scarcity before 2025”, added MMC Sun.

MMC Michael Sun urged communities to use water wisely and take necessary efforts to preserve it. He lauded the Department of Water and Sanitation for its commitment to enhance water provision to communities, and to constantly engage with them through awareness campaigns. 

Issued by the Department of Water & Sanitation