dear DM168 reader,
I spent the Easter weekend with family and friends at the tranquil Zwakala River Retreat in Harnertsburg, Limpopo.
Zwakala is perched high on the forested slopes of the Magoebaskloof mountains, and we got wet in the relentless pouring rain and slipped and slipped on the muddy mountain trails.
We wanted to hang around the campfire and swim in the Bruderstroom River, but it rained so we took shelter, but the weekend made us realize just how much we take for granted the importance of water. I was acutely aware of what I thought.
We can live for almost a month without food, but without water we are at death's door in just three days.
this week's DM168 Our Burning Planet author Tony Carney writes about the frightening fact that South Africa is a water-scarce country, yet up to 40% of tap water is lost to leaks in cities, towns and villages. I am. This is a crime on so many levels.
Last weekend, I heard from fellow Zwakara campers from Polokwane that leaking pipes and poor water infrastructure maintenance have led to a crisis that is forcing businesses and families to buy water from tanks. I was shocked to hear that I would have to spend between R10,000 and R20,000 a month. Limpopo, the largest city, is facing a serious water shortage.
Water shortages are severe, leaving residents unable to flush toilets for up to three days at a time. This frustrated residents of Polokwane, Seshego and surrounding areas, who shut down the city on Thursday, April 4.
Residents interviewed by TimesLIVE reporter Phathu Luvhengo spoke of the insidious nature of the problem. They said water tankers were being deployed to areas with water infrastructure, but repairs were delayed because repairing the infrastructure would deprive some businessmen of benefits. One resident said: “The water crisis appears to be man-made.” [problem] That way they can appoint a contractor and say we are solving the problem. ”
Before the election, Polokwane's mayor denounced the government shutdown as politicking. It's hell, Mayor, when water is plentiful and you can't drink a drop, water is political.
Johannesburg, the economic capital, has been in political trouble, with leaks, rolling blackouts and some idiot turning off valves, leaving residents without water for weeks.
This was political in Tshwane, where a cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal killed more than 30 people. Water management expert and Unisa professor Anja du Plessis blames the sewage pollution left behind across the country. This is because wastewater treatment plants are in poor or critical condition as a result of lack of investment and mismanagement.
It's political across our country. And it's not just the people of Polokwane, Soweto, Blairgowrie or Hammanskraal that are affected, it's all of us.
The government's own National Blue Drop Audit Report, published late last year, found that 46% of all water systems pose health risks due to bacteria, viruses and pathogens in their drinking water supply, and two-thirds ( 64%) All wastewater treatment projects with nearby water supply systems are close to failure.
In addition to this, 57% of municipalities in the country do not notify residents when they discover that their water is contaminated.
This is nothing but political. We have found ourselves in this dire situation because politicians and their accomplices in the various water boards responsible for national and local water infrastructure have failed to properly maintain and repair our infrastructure. Because you choose not to spend.
Sustainment funds are vanity photo projects by short-sighted politicians with no vision or leadership skills, or kickbacks and executive dispatches based on the insane belief that skilled water engineers and personnel are needed. We can only surmise that it was used for some sort of bidding that involved . Water treatment professionals can be replaced by unskilled and unqualified colleagues, friends, and family members.
If you think I'm being unfair, read the Blue Drop report. It showed the following:
- The national water supply system requires an additional 400 qualified personnel (203 technical staff and 197 scientists).
- At least 67% of water treatment plant staff received no training at all during the audit period.
- Water system managers do not monitor water conditions.
The current Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, and Water Commissioner Shaun Phillips are keen to identify the roots of corruption in water authorities, and are working hard to develop policy and ensure that 'water service bodies measure, manage and They are calling for stricter management so that “the public is forced to monitor the Leaks on private property must be fixed because governments cannot continue to fund new infrastructure projects to make up for leaks. ”
But I don't think this is enough. We need what Ferial Adamu, executive manager of his WaterCAN organization to cancel tax abuse, has proposed. It is a “war room approach” to all water issues in every city, town, village and district of our country.
We spend our budget on maintaining and repairing our water infrastructure to stop leaks, and we staff our water supply with highly skilled and qualified staff who know exactly how precious every drop of water is. You should only vote for parties that are committed to professionalizing all areas of service delivery. .
Only NGOs like Gift of the Givers should be used to supply water tankers, so business relationships with politicians and officials in small towns and big cities don't make a fortune off past maintenance failures. We can be confident that it isn't. All life depends on this.
Do your best for yourself and our country. Ask every politician who comes knocking on your door or begging for your vote what their solution to the water problem is.
don't forget to write to me [email protected] And I will publish your letter, or photo if you prefer visual communication, in the newspaper.
you keep the truth,
heather
This story first appeared in our weekly magazine Daily Maverick 168 The newspaper is available nationwide for R29.
