Water Wise, which is Rand Water’s Environmental Awareness brand, collaborated with government entities and the private sector to encourage local communities on the West Rand to keep their environment clean.
According to Rand Water spokesperson, Justice Mohale, the Water Wise team joined members of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM), Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Rand Water Foundation, the Gold Fields Mine, and the Randridge Community to clean local rivers in the region between Wednesday, June 15 and Thursday, June 17.
Approximately 85 people participated in the campaign, and 30 refuse bags filled with waste were removed from the two sites.
“The campaign formed part of Water Wise’s initiatives to raise awareness in communities about the threats plastics pollution posed to the environment. The cleaning campaign has also conscientised members of the communities to become volunteers in an effort to keep their local environment clean.”
Mohale said several representatives from different organisations pledged to protect the local water streams in the Randfontein area by continuously cleaning them.
“Addressing the attendees, officials from the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries encouraged members of the communities on the West Rand to properly dispose of waste, and they were also discouraged to burn waste as this has negative effects on air quality.”
Mohale explained that the need for sustainable mining in the area was outlined by a representative from the Gold Fields Mine.
“The World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5, is set aside for raising awareness on environmental-related matters. It was first held in 1974 in the USA to encourage a culture in people to protect the environment. The day has become a platform for the world leaders to raise awareness about the environmental issues such as global warming, climate change, marine pollution, sustainable consumption and wildlife crime,” concluded Mohale.
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