As South Africa enters the spring season, the Department of Water and Sanitation has urged the public to use water wisely and sparingly, as water levels in the country’s watercourses continue to decline.

The department highlighted that South Africa is a dry and water-scarce nation, where every drop of water is precious. It is, therefore, crucial for the public to practice water conservation in all aspects of their daily lives.

The arrival of spring on 1 September is traditionally celebrated across the country, with many, especially children, engaging in activities such as spraying each other with water. However, the department has warned against this practice, noting that while it may seem fun, it contributes to unnecessary water wastage.

“Pouring water on each other to welcome Spring Day might look cool, but it adds to water wastage and depletes our already scarce water resources, which we cannot afford to lose,” the department said.

Spring also brings hotter temperatures, leading to increased evaporation and reduced water availability. With the ongoing challenges posed by climate change, the department emphasised the importance of everyone taking responsibility for preventing water losses and contributing to sustainable water supply.

The department urged the public to adopt simple yet effective water-saving measures, such as fixing leaks, reporting bulk pipeline leaks to the relevant authorities, not leaving taps running while washing faces or brushing teeth, filling kettles with only the necessary amount of water, and using buckets instead of hoses to wash cars.