The Department of Water and Sanitation will join the rest of the world in the commemoration of the World Water Day (WWD) under the 2021 theme, “Valuing Water”.

To further heighten the awareness of this important day, the Department together with its sector partners, will embark on a week-long commemorative educational activities dubbed, National Water Week from 15 – 22 March.

The World Water Day is a United Nations initiative with an aim to bring focus on the importance of fresh water and to raise awareness of the billions of people living without access to clean and safe water. This day is about taking action to decisively deal with water challenges facing the globe.

This year’s theme aims to understand whether people are valuing water in their lives and advocates for behavioural change in the manner in which people consume water. The 2021 WWD comes during a challenging period as the globe is still struggling with the novel coronavirus pandemic. Water is at the centre of the fight against this pandemic as the World Health Organisation has consistently advocated for the washing of hands regularly with a soap as the most effective way of preventing the spread.

Water is the catalyst in eradicating poverty, economic growth, creating employment opportunities, fighting global pandemics, therefore it needs to be valued and behavioural change is needed to stop water wastage and vandalism of water infrastructure.