“Water scarcity” refers to the volumetric abundance, or non-abundance, of water supply. It is expressed as the ratio of human water consumption to available water supply in a given area. It is a physical reality that can be measured consistently across regions and over time. Water scarcity is driven by two factors physical (physical or absolute water scarcity) or economic (economic water scarcity).
South Africa is considered a water-scarce country.This is based principally on physical descriptors like climatic conditions and escalating water demands. This brief investigates whether observed water scarcity in South Africa can be attributed to physical or economic factors, or both.
This is our worst drought in 23 years. In May last year, it was predicted that 2014 was set to be the biggest harvest since 1981. It was predicted that 13.5 million tons of maize would be harvested by end of the season. Well, 10 months later and the worst drought since 1992 we end up in a situation where we have to import maize due to the volatile climate we are experiencing now.
South Africa is losing the equivalent of 4.3 million swimming pools of water a year because of leaky pipes and theft, The Sunday Times reported. According to the newspaper, a Water Research Commission (WRC) study had indicated that South Africa lost 1.58 billion kilo-litres of water a year, or just under 132m k/l a month.This was enough water to fill a third of the Gariep Dam, the largest in South Africa.The water loss reportedly cost South Africa around R7.2bn a year.
and 33 percent do not have basic sanitation services. While rural citizens suffer the most, over 26 percent of all schools (urban or rural), and 45 percent of clinics, have no water access either.
In South Africa, the right to water is enshrined in the constitution. Before the country's transition to democracy in 1994, government policies were focused on the advancement of the white minority.
