Jay Bhagwan

Nov 18, 2024 | iwa-network.org | Jay Bhagwan

We live in a world where sanitation service and technology inequity is too prevalent – a world where some 3.5 billion inhabitants (2022) still do not have access to safe sanitation. On top of this come the effects of rapid urbanisation and also the impacts of climate change related events – the hurricanes, tornados, floods, droughts, and so on which are now more frequent and represent a new normal that we must deal with.

Oct 18, 2024 | mg.co.za | Umamah Bakharia |Jay Bhagwan

Many places in the country already experience a Day Zero, frequented by water-shedding, interruptions, low pressure and long shut-downs for maintenance. In addition, there is sufficient evidence that South Africans’ water usage is not sustainable for a water stressed environment. Our per capita water usage is way above the world norm of about 170 litres per capita (person) per day — in Gauteng this averages about 270l/cap/day.

Oct 9, 2024 | mg.co.za | Jay Bhagwan

We keep emphasising that South Africa is a water-stressed country and that we are reaching the limits to the resource regarding demand and growth. Yet nearly 50% — and in some areas as much as 70% — of all treated water supplied by municipalities is lost before it reaches paying or needy customers because of failing infrastructure and governance, as well as vandalism and theft. The situation, together with poor water use behaviour by consumers, puts our habitats and security at risk.