South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation has warned that water taps in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro could dry out anytime unless residents start using water sparingly.
In a statement on Wednesday, the department’s office in the Eastern Cape province “reiterated its pleas to Nelson Mandela Bay Metro residents to use water sparingly while also calling for communities to prevent the pollution of water sources.”
“The department, with the support of the office of the Presidency, has once again committed to working tirelessly to prevent taps from completely drying out while working collaboratively with the provincial government and several organisations, both NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and the private sector in the province,” the statement said.
Among other interventions, the department called for the wise use of water and reduction of water demand, early detection and repair of leaks, optimisation of groundwater use through the drilling and management of boreholes, and improvement of water infrastructure.
The warning by the department comes days after Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu warned of the threat of water pollution in the province.
“Second to drought and its effects, of which many of us have witnessed in the province and some parts of the country, water pollution poses a serious threat to water security in the country,” Mchunu said during Nelson Mandela Day commemorations on Monday.
He said communities in the province and across the country should practice active citizenry by leading activities of cleaning up water sources.
JN/APA