Responsibility for clean safe water
According to the Constitution of South Africa everyone has the right to have
access to water, i.e. enough water to live. Part of our right to life, is the
right to have water. But individuals or groups in our country cannot own water.
Our democratic government is in charge of our country's water resources.
Government has to ensure that there is clean water for all of us - now and for
future generations.
Polluting water reduces its quality and increases the cost to purify it. The
cost of providing clean water is directly linked to the processes that water has
to go through in order for it to be safe and clean. To keep down the cost of
providing clean water, we all need to act responsibly and contribute towards
keeping our resources clean.
The availability of water
South Africa is a water-scarce country and the natural availability of water
across our country is uneven. Our average rainfall per year is 450mm, which is
lower than the world's average of 860mm per year.
Although some years it rains more than other years, we are still considered a
water-scarce country. Our drinking water comes from two sources, namely surface
water (rainfall and its runoff into rivers or dams), or groundwater (water that
has collected
in underground stores or aquifers). It is therefore very important that we do
not pollute our drinking water sources and to do everything possible to save and
conserve water.
Safe water for drinking
If water is from an unreliable source, such as a borehole, first filter the
water through a clean cloth into a clean container. Then add one teaspoon of
bleach for 20 to 25 litres of water.
Mix it well and let it stand for half an hour. Or boil the water and let it
bubble for one minute to make sure it is clean and safe.
Safe water can easily get dirty, so keep it covered and clean. It is important
not to touch the water with your hands, as this may cause the spreading of
germs. Rather pour or scoop from the container when you need water for drinking
or cooking.
Diarrhoea
Germs from human waste (faeces) cause diarrhoeal diseases, including cholera.
Wash your hands (with soap or ash and safe water) before you eat or prepare
food, or after you have been to the toilet.
If you get sick with diarrhoea (runny tummy) or start vomiting, prepare this
mixture and drink it regularly. Do not forget to go to your clinic for help:
Take 1 litre of safe water Add 8 teaspoons of sugar Add half a teaspoon of salt Mix well and drink a glass of it every hour.
Why is handwashing so important?
Around four billion cases of diarrhoea are recorded worldwide each year. Diarrhoeal diseases claim the lives of nearly two million children every year. Over 1, 5 million cases of diarrhoea, in children under five, are recorded in
South Africa each year. Over 100 children may die daily from diarrhoeal diseases in South Africa. Human waste (faeces) is the source of most diarrhoeal pathogens or germs. One gram of faeces can contain 10 million viruses, 1 million bacteria, 1000
parasite cysts and 100 worm eggs. Studies also show that convenient access to safe water alone can only reduce the
incidence of diarrhoeal diseases by up to 15%. Adequate sanitation can reduce the incidence of diarrhoeal diseases by up to
40%. Handwashing with soap can reduce the incidence of diarrhoeal diseases by 42-46%. Worldwide, handwashing with soap could save a million lives each year.
Important tips for water safety
Never go swimming alone. Adult permission and supervision is very important. Never dive into a river, lake or dam if you have not tested the depth first.
Before swimming in a river, always make sure that there are no crocodiles or
hippos in the water or around. Be aware of underwater obstacles such as rocks and branches of trees. Protect South Africa’s water resources - do not throw rubbish in the water.
People who access dams, rivers and lakes should be able to help themselves in
water. The Department in partnership with Swimming South Africa (SSA), supports
the Rural Splash Programme.
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