The South African Constitution states that everyone has the right to have access to an environment that is not harmful to their health and or well-being. This includes a constant supply of clean, safe drinking water. However, due to a number of conflicting factors and an ever increasing population the quantity and quality of water available in South Africa is decreasing dramatically, this decrease in quality and quantity has already caused and will continue to cause a number of problems for the South African population and landscape. The availability of water is an important environmental concern as without this vital natural resource business, the well-being of the population and the environment will gradually diminish. (Clever Green. (2011). Another SA water crisis. Available: http://clevergreen.co.za/2011/03/08/another-sa-water-crisis/. Last accessed 18th April 2011.)
Water is considered South Africa’s most critical resource, which is scarce and an ever growing need. It is a resource that is sensitive to, and significantly linked to the problems endured, as a result of increased land use, wastage of water and population growth. South Africa’s freshwater supply is almost at its limit, according to the World Wildlife Fund, less than ten percent of South Africa’s rainfall is available as surface water, which is one of the lowest conversion ratios in the world and the country’s groundwater resources are becoming limited. The availability of adequate water for consumption has become a growing concern throughout the South African provinces, because despite regulations of river waters, in a number of the catchment areas the need for water exceeds the supply and the quality is often below the required standard. Thus, the concern expressed by government officials and the South African population is that South Africa will face a significant challenge in meeting water demands in the decades ahead. (Morgan, G and Swathe, M. (2008). South Africa's looming water crisis. Available: http://www.environment.co.za/south-africa-environmental-issues-news/south-africas-looming-water-crisis.html. Last accessed 17th April 2011.)
The dramatic decrease in the quantity and quality of freshwater is linked to the growing demands, as well as, other factors such as loss of natural habitat and potentially climate change, which are commonly thought to be humanly inflicted. The destruction of natural habitats is a key cause of the water shortage and resulting environmental damage. For example, the large Fynbos concentrated areas in the Cape have been cleared over the years due to the heavy settlement, large areas of natural vegetation, particularly in the lowlands have been cleared for agriculture and urban development. The water crisis in South Africa is heightened by the destruction of natural vegetation, as well as, poor land management, conversion of marginal lands for cultivation, the lack of a dam building programme to accommodate the increasing population and the absence of responsibility taken by the mining industry.
Water and land pollution in South Africa has had detrimental effects on the quantity of quality water available for consumption and or use, large water source areas are polluted by industrial effluents, domestic and commercial sewage, acid mine drainage, agricultural runoff and litter . The high concentration of pollution in the various natural water sources around South Africa have contributed to fresh water becoming scarce in communities and thus resulting in numerous water shortages and infected water related illnesses. The population growth and economic development rates that have been predicted for South Africa reveal that it is unlikely that the projected demand on water resources will be sustainable. Thus, the supply will become a major restriction to the future socio-economic development of the country, in terms of the quality and quantity of available water. It can be considered that human irresponsibility and to a large extent lack of water education, in terms of the importance of freshwater water conservation, have lead to numerous water sources becoming polluted, infected and thus dysfunctional. (World Wildlife Fund. (2007). Environmental problems in South Africa. Available: http://wwf.panda.org/environmental problems in South_Africa. Lasted accessed 17th April 2011.)
Due to the dramatic decrease in the availability and quality of water in South Africa, the South African government is seeking solutions in neighbouring countries, like Lesotho, to assist in providing sufficient water for projected future demands, however becoming dependent on other countries for such a vital resource is a great risk. There have been projects proposed to assist in curbing the water crisis such as the desalinisation of seawater and catching water from icebergs, however these projects will only be efficient and effective in the long term due to the extreme cost of the initial installation and maintenance of the overall projects.
It is of great importance that South Africa and the South African population develop both a water efficient economy and a social ethic of water conservation, and ultimately a culture of sustainability of water resource use. The water crisis has reached an absolute critical point, which requires each South African citizen to become informed and educated on water and the importance of this resource for the functioning of the environment, population and business, as well as, government to become proactive in its approach to developing and adopting a long term and successful water conservation strategy. (Department of Environmental affairs and Tourism. (2000). Freshwater systems and resources. Available: http://www.ngo.grida.no/soesa/nsoer/issues/water/impact.htm. Last accessed 17th April 2011.)
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