The theme for National Water Week, 18 – 24 March 2013 is, “Water is life – Respect it, Conserve it, Enjoy it”. This year’s National Water Week celebrations coincide with the United Nations (UN) General Assembly declaring 2013 as the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation.
Goitse Pilane, Director for Projects and Infrastructure, co-heads business law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr’s Water Sector. He says, “The National Water Act, 1998 (which is considered as one of the best water legislation in the world) ensures that our water resources are used, protected and managed in a sustainable and equitable manner for the benefit of all persons and in a way that guarantees every person’s constitutional right to access sufficient water. Everyone is entitled to use water to the extent that the use of water is permissible in terms of the National Water Act,1998.
“In the 2013 National Budget Speech,” continues Pilane, “Government committed to expanding infrastructure investment. The value of major infrastructure projects in progress or under consideration in the public sector totals R3.6 trillion; with water apportioned 3.6% of that total.
“South Africa is considered a water scarce country. The National Development Plan, Vision for 2030 recognises that in order to sustain water supply and sanitation services our water resources and infrastructure must be properly managed to avoid further damage to natural resources which includes water in rivers and underground.
“Forty six million South Africans have access to basic water supplies. Strategic public private partnerships will accelerate access to basic water supplies for everyone and will support the Government’s service delivery initiatives,” Pilane adds.
How can you live this year’s theme sustainably, equitably and efficiently?
Respect
Water is the most essential element to life on Earth. Add to this the concerning fact that South Africa is the 30th driest country in the world. Let us empower people individually and collectively to practice sustainable water management.
Conserve
Re-use water wherever possible. Virtually all water coming out of a tap can be used at least twice and is called grey water.
Repair leaking pipes, taps and toilets cisterns. A dripping tap can waste as much as 60 litres of water per day or 1 800 litres per month. A leaking toilet can waste up to 100 000 litres of water per year
Enjoy
Enjoy fishing, boating, sailing, canoeing, rafting, and swimming. But please remember to respect and conserve water, so that future generations can also enjoy it.
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr has the expertise and know-how to assist clients with all matters relating to water, including water concessions and environmental aspects.
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Author: Angela Graham from . Originally distributed by MyPR.co.za.
