South Africa

SA could dry up in 2025

23 February 2012 - 03:10 By Sapa
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South Africa will start running out of water 13 years from now without better management, this year's Budget Review said.

Community activist Andries Tatane paid with his life when he protested against poor delivery of services - including the provision of potable water - at Maqheleng, Ficksburg, earlier this year Picture: DANIEL BORN
Community activist Andries Tatane paid with his life when he protested against poor delivery of services - including the provision of potable water - at Maqheleng, Ficksburg, earlier this year Picture: DANIEL BORN
Community activist Andries Tatane paid with his life when he protested against poor delivery of services - including the provision of potable water - at Maqheleng, Ficksburg, earlier this year Picture: DANIEL BORN
Community activist Andries Tatane paid with his life when he protested against poor delivery of services - including the provision of potable water - at Maqheleng, Ficksburg, earlier this year Picture: DANIEL BORN

"On current projections, South Africa's water demand will outstrip supply between 2025 and 2030," the document stated. Avoiding this required "better management and adjusted pricing mechanisms to support sustainable water use".

Government would re-examine its water pricing strategy next year. The review noted that, while 97% of South Africa's drinking water met minimum standards, "only 71% of waste water is compliant".

Over the next three years, R75-billion had been allocated to water-related problems.

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