By Dirk Groenewald, Executive MidCity Utilities

SOUTH AFRICA IS CLASSIFIED AS A WATER-SCARCE COUNTRY.

We rank as one of the thirty driest countries in the world, with an average rainfall of about 40% less than the average annual world rainfall.

South Africa has an average annual rainfall of less than 500 mm, while that of the world is at about 850 mm.

These figures are constantly changing because of climate change associated with global warming. Disrupted rainfall patterns cause droughts, flooding, and other extreme weather conditions.

Currently, Europe is experiencing heatwaves, droughts, fire outbreaks, and ground erosion, to name but a few, certainly not uncommon to South Africans, but extremely rare for Europe.

South Africa experienced water shortages over the last few years with “day zero” looming in Gqeberha (Eastern Cape), currently covered in the media.

Apart from South Africa being a water scarce country, there are other factors that also add to the pressure on our water availability.

• Infrastructure failures (pipes, pumps, storage, water purification plants)
• Low or no maintenance
• Growing population
• Water wastage
• Mismanagement by responsible parties
• Pollution

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Experience has shown us that where end users do not see, feel, or know what volume of water they are consuming, they often do not care, worry, or change their water usage behaviour.

Most Body Corporates (other Community Schemes included), has a bulk council supply water meter, measuring the total water usage / supply.

The Body Corporate (Community Scheme) pays the full water and sanitation account, which forms part of the levies raised.

As the levy amount seldom requires contributions for expenses, the water and sanitation cost of the Body Corporate is diluted in the levy.

A leaking toilet (continuously running toilet) unattended to, can run up a cost of approximately R8 500 per month at current Tshwane Municipality tariffs.

The same applies for leaking pipes, continuously flowing taps, sprinklers, geysers, and other water appliances.

End users not directly paying for their own water usage, will in most instances not care to fix or report the water related problem.

Only once the end user is metered, directly paying, or being informed of the water usage, the end user’s consumption patterns will change.

Having end users pay for their direct water usage, relieves the financial liability of the Body Corporate, and can assist in not having to raise levies in future because of water and sanitation costs. 

The total consumption of a complex often decreases with between 40 – 60% after the installation of individual water meters.

Having individual water meters also assists with balancing the water network and gives an early indication of possible water leaks in the water network.

Action can be taken to identify and fix the leaks before getting out of hand, and has substantial financial implications for the complex.

Where possible, it is advisable to install individual water meters for end users to bring then to account for their water use or abuse.

Individual water meters assist in changing water usage behaviour because of a financial implication to end users, thus saving an invaluable and essential resource – water.

For any assistance, investigations, and explanations, please contact MidCity Utilities.