South Africa is rated as one of the 30 driest countries in the world. Yet, instead of being the champions of water conservation we are among the biggest polluters of this much-needed resource.For far too long communities, municipalities and businesses have been abusing our water resources.Water and sanitation are critical for social and economic development as well as for maintaining healthy ecosystems; it is imperative that the resource is managed effectively and efficiently.Sustaining economic growth is possible only if the limited capacity of ecosystems to supply water needed for agriculture, industry and energy generation is recognised.Population growth and urbanisation are playing significant roles in increasing water demand, while economic growth has led to increased water requirements by agriculture and major industries. This has resulted in other challenges, such as the control of pollution of water as waste is constantly discharged into rivers.We forget that while we are assured of access to water resources in terms of the constitution, we have to protect it even as we enjoy it.The Department of Water and Sanitation has programmes such as Adopt-a-River, World Wetlands Day and many others that concentrate on cleaning our rivers while raising awareness of the importance of the resource.The department is working on a year-round War on Pollution Programme that will not only arrest water polluters but, most importantly, educate and create awareness about the value and protection of water. ..