South Africa’s water authorities have urged the population to respect the laws regulating water and use water sparingly, even during this festive holiday season, APA learns here Friday.
Last month the ministry of water embarked on raids in certain areas of the country to compel entities across all sectors that are abstracting water illegally from the rivers and other water resources to stop their activities or face the might of the law.
In terms of the National Water Act of 1998, all water users in South Africa, whether for commercial or domestic use must be registered through their municipalities and industries and must be issued with water use licences.
The National Water Act forms part of the pillars of South Africa’s laws as it seeks to enforce good management of water and its conservation.
South Africa is among the 30 driest countries in the world and the country also runs the risk of becoming a desert in 20 years if water is not managed and used sparingly, the water authorities said.
“It is unacceptable that some individuals and industries use the country’s scarce resource for personal benefit without applying for water use licenses.”
“An increase in unlawful water use activities, with a negative impact on the environment as well as socio-economic factors, called for a need to bring about public awareness regarding compliance” the ministry said.
Source: Star Africa
