WaterCAN delivers breakup Valentine’s Day messages to 5 mayors across South Africa
Wilted flowers, a bottle of contaminated water, and a breakup letter underscores the urgent need for attention to the dire condition of our drinking water and rivers.
Image: WaterCAN
On February 14, 2024 (Valentine’s Day), WaterCAN is delivering a poignant message regarding the precarious state of our rivers and water sources to five mayors across the country.
Mayors representing the City of Cape Town, Emfuleni Local Municipality, Dipaleseng Municipality, City of Johannesburg, and eThekwini Municipality were each presented with a symbolic package containing wilted flowers, a bottle of contaminated water, and a breakup letter from WaterCAN and other water guardians from across South Africa.
The gesture underscores the urgent need for attention to the dire condition of our drinking water and rivers, as highlighted in the Blue, Green, and NoDrop reports released in November 2023 by the Department of Water and Sanitation. These reports reveal alarming statistics: 46% of drinking systems fail to meet microbiological standards, 67.6% of wastewater treatment works are inoperable, and 47.4% of our water is lost or unaccounted for.
“Our breakup letter and the accompanying gifts of water and wilted flowers serve as a stark representation of the degradation of our water resources and the ecosystems they support,” said Dr Ferrial Adam, Executive Manager of WaterCAN.
The selected mayors symbolise the challenges faced by many municipalities nationwide. Emfuleni grapples with ongoing sewage pollution in the Vaal River, Cape Town discharges nearly 32 million litres of untreated sewage into marine protected areas, while the tap water in Dipaleseng in Mpumalanga remains unsafe for consumption. The City of Johannesburg contends with failing infrastructure, water cuts, and a significant flow of sewage into rivers, and eThekwini experiences failing infrastructure leading to water cuts and uncontrolled sewage outflows into rivers, impacting critical beaches.
“We aim to remind all mayors and municipal managers of their duty to provide clean water and safeguard our water resources and environment within their jurisdictions—a responsibility that is currently not being adequately fulfilled,” added Dr Adam.
WaterCAN, alongside its expanding network of citizen science activists, remains committed to holding municipalities and polluters accountable for their contributions to the degradation of our water ecosystems. We invite concerned members of the public to join us in our efforts to protect our water resources. Interested individuals can participate in national water testing initiatives and utilise our interactive map to report incidents of water shortages and leaks in their communities, enabling us to identify and address hotspot areas effectively.
Above: Faeza Meyer handing over flowers at the City of Cape Town Municipality.
Above: Jonathan Erasmus handing over flowers in eThekwini Municipality.
Above: Ali Gule handing flowers over to Emfuleni Municipality.
About WaterCAN:
WaterCAN is a dedicated environmental organisation committed to preserving and protecting South Africa’s water resources. With a mission to promote responsible water management and raise awareness about water quality, the organisation empowers communities to become proactive stewards of their local water sources. If you would like to support our work, kindly Donate Here.
