Water Week kicks off as Cape Town has just 100 days of water left

National Water Week kicked off this Monday, while globally World Water Day is celebrated today. This comes as Southern Africa is still recovering from a drought, and the crown jewel of South Africa's tourism industry, Cape Town, has just 100 days before it runs out of water. According to Antonino Manus, water specialist at KPMG, the water crisis in Cape Town is a multi-faceted issue that requires a comprehensive approach from both the government and the private sector. The challenges include communities without access to water and sanitation, dwindling water resources, and inefficient infrastructure. Considering the theme for Africa Water Utility Week, private sector involvement is crucial in addressing these challenges through financing new infrastructure, such as desalination plants, and promoting water reuse. Manus emphasizes the need for partnerships between different stakeholders to develop tailored solutions for each municipality. Despite the presence of partnerships, there are obstacles such as legislation and stakeholder engagement that need to be addressed. By tackling inefficiencies in the current water systems, municipalities can reduce water losses and improve water management. Manus stresses the importance of households in water conservation efforts, suggesting practices like rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse. He highlights the role of education and community engagement, especially with children, in changing behaviors towards water usage. While water summits and gatherings can lead to valuable exchanges of knowledge and best practices, Manus acknowledges the need for tangible actions and outcomes from such initiatives. Lessons learned from other countries, funding partnerships, and innovative solutions can all contribute to addressing the water crisis in Cape Town. Overall, a collective effort from all stakeholders is essential to effectively combat the water scarcity in the region.