Responsible water usage is everybody’s duty

GEORGE NEWS - People and communities must help government to combat illegal water usage. If illegal water usage takes place, everybody suffers.

This is the message that Acting Head of the Western Cape Department of Water and Sanitation, Boniswa Hene, gave at the launch of a compliance and enforcement blitz in George and Oudtshoorn on Monday 8 November.

Several stakeholders are involved, including the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP) in the Gouritz region.

The blitz is aimed at curbing illegal water use activities. The department has been inundated with complaints of illegal water activities in the Gouritz region that include diversion of rivers using sand bags and illegal abstractions. The drilling of boreholes without being authorised is also illegal and is also regulated.

Hene said that November is traditionally the enforcement month. They are in the area to talk to whoever is using water. She warned that people who are not using water in a regulated matter and don't comply with the National Water Act, will be dealt with. They will display zero tolerance to non-compliance.

She said in the past, offenders have been handed heavy fines. While government does not wish to profit from fines, they will impose fines as a last resort if water users do not comply with the National Water Act and the related regulations. The aim is not to punish, but to make sure water is used in a regulated manner. It is for the good of everyone.

She pleaded with everyone to cooperate and use water sparingly, stressing that South Africa is a country with scarce water resources. She said the management of water resources is the responsibility of all and urged water users to report suspected unlawful activities to local authorities.

On behalf of the Department of Water and Sanitation she thanked those water users who act responsibly and care for the environment.

Hene said water availability and care for the resource is also critical in this time of the need to urgently respond to the Covid-19 pandemic through the regular washing of hands with soap and water.

Boniswa Hene, Acting Head of the Western Cape Department of Water and Sanitation.