Polluted river water kills as many people as a nuclear explosion

The first signs of global warming are now clealy visible.

Today on the coast of Galicia. Tomorrow on your plate

Melanie Gosling, Cape Times June 17th

Western Cape municipalities need to spend R6.6bn to replace decaying water and sanitation infrastructure in local authorities throughout the province.

This was one of the findings of an audit commissioned by the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, which said it would take a massive R56bn to fix the crumbling water and sanitation infrastructure throughout the country. The Western Cape municipalities whose water and sanitation infrastructure are in the worst condition are Knysna, Drakenstein, Stellenbosch and Breede Valley.

The report which described the need for upgrading both water and sanitation infrastructure as “urgent” said in some regions the infrastructure was so dilapidated that raw sewage was discharged into rivers and on to streets, creating both a serious human health hazard and a threat to the natural environment. “Because of this situation, the quality of drinking water could, in some instances, lead to deaths” the report said.

Western cape municipalities would have to spend R3.7bn on replacing infrastructure for water provision and R2.8bn on sanitation infrastructure. About 85% of the sewerage system infrastructure in all provinces was classified as “dilapidated” and had a short remaining lifespan. Sewerage systems in Gauteng were operating at 102%, and there were still 224 264 households that were waiting to be linked to the system. About 90% of all municipal water treatment facilities nationally which treated bulk water supplies from dams and rivers were in need of replacement. Only the W.Cape and Gauteng municipalities scored above the required 90% for complying with drinking water quality standards.

One of the major reasons for the dodgy state of municipal infrastructure was that local councils had spent most of their money on new infrastructure and failed to maintain and refurbish existing infrastructure. Some other reasons were a lack of planning by councillors. the awarding of contracts to inexperienced contractors, lack of skilled officials to operate facilities, inability of officials to budget for and operate infrastructure, vacant managerial and operational posts, lack of technical ability to plan and manage capital intensive water services projects, mostly unqualified controllers, lack of financial skills and poor money management.

Water resources in most provinces were stretched, and Limpopo, North West and Northern Cape had exploited all their water resources fully. In spite of this, water losses in all municipalities were “unacceptably” higher than 25%. The “acceptable” international water loss standard was between 10 and 15%.

A report last year found that one in three councillors could not read or write. Many did not understand council proceedings, their responsibilities or municipal legislation.

WATER SCARCITY – The root cause of many problems

* At any one time, half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from water-borne diseases.
* Over one-third of the world’s population has no access to sanitation facilities.
* In developing countries, about 80% of illnesses are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions.
* 1 out of every 4 deaths under the age of 5 worldwide is due to a water-related disease.
* In developing countries, it is common for water collectors, usually women and girls, to have to walk several kilometers every day to fetch water. Once filled, pots and jerry cans weigh as much as 20kg (44lbs).

Water scarcity falls into two major categories, they are…
Physical Scarcity

Physical water scarcity is what it sounds like. Physical access to water is limited. When the demand outstrips the lands ability to provide the needed water you have physical scarcity. For the most part, dry parts of the world or arid regions are most often associated with physical scarcity. However, there are an increasing number of regions in the world where physical scarcity is a man-made condition. The Colorado river basin in the United States is an excellent example of a seemingly abundant source of water being overused and over managed, leading to very serious physical water scarcity downstream.
Water scarcity in the world.
Economic Scarcity

Economic water scarcity is by far the most disturbing form of water scarcity because it is almost entirely a lack of compassion and good governance that allows the condition to persist. Economic water scarcity exists when a population does not have the necessary monetary means to utilize an adequate source of water. Economic water scarcity is about a unequal distribution of resources for many reasons, including political and ethnic conflict. Much of sub-Saharan Africa suffers under the effects of this type of water scarcity.

Without question, economic water scarcity in an issue that can be addressed quickly and effectively. The Water Project’s key goal is to provide the means necessary for communities suffering from it to find relief. Access to clean water can be as simple as building small dams to catch rain water, or rain collection systems to collect rain from rooftops. It simply takes some money, a bit of engineering and some local construction efforts.

You can make a huge difference. Donate to our efforts and give life!

You can read more in this comprehensive report from World Water Week, Stockholm 2006.