NEWS ANALYSIS: Water sources unprotected while crisis grows
By 2030 South Africa will experience a 17% deficit between water supply and demand
SA’s strategic water source areas are largely unprotected, according to several studies, including some conducted by state agencies, cited by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) at a presentation on Wednesday. SA is in the grip of a water crisis as failing infrastructure, agricultural and industrial pollution, drought, and rapid urbanisation threaten the economy, biodiversity and the health of millions. About 98% of surface water has already been allocated, according to a CSIR study. By 2030, the organisation estimates, SA will experience a 17% deficit between water supply and demand. The 22 strategic water source areas, which constitute only about 8% of the country’s land surface, supply 60% of the population with water and about 70% of irrigation water, which together account for 67% of SA’s economic activity. Of these sources, only about 18% enjoy statutory protection, notably the National Environmental Management Act, according to a World Wide Fund for Nature study. About ...
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