Water
Water is an essential resource and, in order to lead healthy lives, people need a reliable supply of clean drinking water. Water is also used in the industrial processes we depend on for food, energy and the production of many of the products we use daily. Water is vital for human development.
In a typical household, water is used by everyone in the house for cooking, bathing, flushing the toilet and cleaning. In addition, the few people who have gardens also use it for watering plants. The average water use is around 200 litres per day for a single family household. This is increased to 320 litres / day for a shared household of two families and is even higher at peak use times during the day.
South Africa has one of the highest domestic water consumption per capita worldwide. This high consumption is due to water use as well as leaking or broken pipes and aging infrastructure that is beyond its expected life span. Alarmingly, consumption is forecast to overtake supply by 2025 which, combined with the supply issue exacerbates the challenge of water provision in Johannesburg.
As part of the larger Johannesburg centralised system, people in Makers Valley receive their water from neighbouring country Lesotho. A lot of water is used daily in South Africa and wider environmental and political factors could cause a water crisis in the next decade. What ideas can you suggest to improve the situation?
1. Water management
High levels of consumption is an area of concern with predictions of possible water shortages in the next 10 years. Do you have any ideas to: 1. reduce consumption, 2. use water more efficiently, or, 3. reduce the reliance of Makers Valley on water from Lesotho?
2. Water distribution
Water is distributed through a centralised pipe network to provide water to all taps in the area and is wholly reliant on pumps. Consequently, the water supply is greatly reduced during regular electricity power outages. Leaking or broken pipes and ageing infrastructure contributes to high water consumption. Can you propose ideas to improve the water distribution infrastructure and ensure people have a consistent water supply?
3. Water cost
People in Makers Valley have access to good-quality water, however, water is viewed as expensive. Most households have a water meter or a prepaid water meter that measures the amount of water used and the cost associated. The first 25 litres per person per day is free, and then it’s banded into segments for cost, with the price per litre increasing in higher water usage bands. Can you suggest ideas to reduce the cost of water?
4. Water crime
Water access can be affected by lack of payment. If residents fail to pay their bills, the municipal water company will shut off the connection to the house. Where a connection is shut off but physically exposed, people will occasionally tap the connection illegally to gain water access, or will use their neighbour's water supply. Can you propose a solution to prevent water connections from being tapped illegally?
14. Hot water [*1]
Many homes in Makers Valley do not have hot water. Can you suggest ideas to make affordable hot water available to everyone in Makers Valley?
