DESPITE much-needed rainfall across the country in the past week, Gauteng remains in the grip of one of the worst droughts in almost a century.
Jacques Laubscher, who is the senior associate of GIBB, spoke at the Green Business Platform meeting held recently at the Rietvlei Zoo Farm, saying that water is deemed as a commodity which is why we buy it.
According to Laubscher water shedding is only going to get worse in many areas and emphasised that the portions of people who do not have water, value it the most.
“We are a society of convenience that is quick to complain when water bills are too high or when water is cut, we #PrayForRain but we don’t do anything to conserve water and we forget to remind ourselves of the responsibilities that come with the right we have to water,” he said.
The current state of water infrastructure is poor and Laubscher agreed that the municipality needs to create and implement a budget for better maintenance. Businesses also need to decrease water demand by optimising their production process.
On average the treated water from a tap costs approximately R5 to R10 per 100 litre and we are paying 300 to 1000 times more for bottled water.
“Water conservation and water demand is not the responsibility of the government but it’s ours to ensure that we are using water optimally. Consumers and water service providers all need to work together to change the state of the current water crisis,” concluded Laubscher.
The next Green Business Platform meeting will be held on Friday, April 8, at the Rietvlei Zoo Farm on Swartkoppies Road.
You may also be interested in reading:
https://www.citizen.co.za/comaro-chronicle/68068/green-business-platform-meeting-3/
https://www.citizen.co.za/comaro-chronicle/66447/green-business-platform-gallery/
