1.13 - Sustainable Use of Water
Strategies for sustainable water management at the community level
Sustainable water management is crucial for ensuring that communities have access to this vital resource. At the local level, individuals and communities can play a significant role by adopting practices that reduce water use and promote conservation, often supported by broader national policies.
Community actions for water conservation
- Reducing usage - Limiting water use to essential needs, such as avoiding unnecessary running taps.
- Minimising waste - Fixing leaks promptly to prevent loss of resources.
- Reusing water - Repurposing used water, like bath water, for other tasks.
- Educational initiatives - Raising awareness through local campaigns about water conservation.
Methods to increase freshwater supplies through local efforts
Communities can take active steps to enhance their access to freshwater by implementing various techniques to capture and store water.
Techniques to boost freshwater availability
- Reservoir storage - Retaining water during wet periods for use in drier seasons.
- Water redistribution - Transferring water from areas with surplus to those facing shortages.
- Grey water recycling - Collecting water that has been previously used (not suitable for drinking) and reusing it for other purposes.
Water harvesting techniques for community use
Water harvesting involves collecting and storing water from natural sources to meet community needs.
Approaches to water harvesting
- River and lake extraction - Using basic tools or gravity-based systems, such as traditional irrigation methods, to draw water directly from surface sources.
- Trapping with barriers - Constructing small dams or bunds (earthen banks) across streams or gullies to hold water, as seen in structures like check dams in regions like South Africa.
- Groundwater pumping - Accessing underground water reserves through pumps, ensuring the rate of extraction does not exceed natural replenishment.
- Burden on communities - Collecting water often falls to specific groups, particularly women and children, who may spend significant time fetching water from distant sources.
Principles of sustainable water use in South Africa
South Africa has developed a set of water law principles to guide the management and use of water resources in a way that benefits society as a whole.
Key principles of water management in South Africa
- Common resource - Water is considered a shared resource for all, under national control rather than private ownership, with rights granted only for its use.
- Social and economic benefits - Management aims to achieve long-term advantages for society, balancing social needs with economic gains, and recognising that water allocations may need adjustment over time.
- Basic needs priority - A reserve of water is set aside to meet essential domestic requirements for all citizens.
- Criteria for management - Decisions on water development and distribution are based on public interest, sustainability, equity, and efficient use, while valuing water's importance to society and meeting environmental and international commitments.
- Local responsibility - Where feasible, water management is delegated to regional or catchment levels, encouraging participation and consensus among stakeholders.
- Access to basic services - All citizens have a right to essential water services, including safe drinking water and sanitation, provided in an equitable, economically, and environmentally sustainable manner.
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