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Water Wise Watch: August

This month in Water Wise

We are moving towards the end of winter and the start of my favourite season of the year - spring! The days are getting longer and warmer and there are small signs of new growth in the garden. This month, we look back at Mandela Day celebrations,  and try out a more 'reader-friendly' newsletter layout. Let us know what you think of our new layout at waterwise@randwater.co.za. Always be Water Wise!

Weather for July/August

The southwestern parts of South Africa are currently dealing with severe drought conditions, even as we move out of their rainy season. This is a stark reminder of the need to conserve water as part of our daily habits and practises. Areas on the highveld and in the eastern parts of the country are moving into the wet season. However, forecasts are still very uncertain on whether we ca n expect above-normal rainfall or not.  Remember to live a Water Wise life and to conserve our precious water resources!

 

Water Wise Events

Mandela Day is an annual celebration that is held in honour of Nelson Mandela. It is celebrated every day on 18 July, which is Mandela’s birthday. Every year, people are encouraged to put aside 67 minutes of their day doing something positive for their community. This year, Water Wise celebrated Mandela Day by collecting over R 1 000 that   was used to purchase essential items such as mielie meal, rice, porridge, soup, cooking oil, and sugar. These items we  were delivered to the small community that lives on a farm   owned by Rand Water near Eikenhof, in Johannesburg   South. Team   members from Environmental Management Services visited  the community creche on 21 July and handed out the goods, as well as fruit, sweets, snacks, clothes, and toys to the children attending the creche. The children had a wonderful morning playing with their new   toys. Thanks goes to Khuliso Nemalili for arranging the   event, and collecting money to purchase the donated goods.

 

Recently, SANA (South African Nursery Association) hosted the second annual SANA Convention in partnership with SAGIC (South African Green Industries Council) at Champagne Sports Resort in the Drakensberg. Water Wise was there to present the 'Most Water Wise' award to garden centres and nurseries. This year, the award for most Water Wise nursery went to Stodels Nurseries in Milnerton. The award for most Water Wise home store garden department went to Builders Warehouse, Cape Gate. Congratulations to the winners!

 

Water Wise News (Click the headings in bold below to read each article)

South Africa: Water Can't Be Saved Without Change
"Following all the rules to save water might be a great way of conserving the precious natural resource, but it won't work if it's done by some of the people some of the time."

Extreme weather: DEA working in SA adaption strategy for climate change
"The South African Weather Services (SAWS) and other weather services such as Snow Report SA and Gauteng Weather predict extreme weather conditions to improve the ability of emergency services, so that the public can prepare timeously to expected inclement weather."

Halfway through the year, 2017 is on pace to be the second warmest on record 
"June 2017 was the third-hottest June ever recorded, the 41st June in a row — and the 390th consecutive month — that saw the average global temperature rise above the 20th-century average."

One of Africa’s biggest cities could run out of water by September 
"Kenya's capital city, Nairobi, is dangerously low on water. The city is home to around 3.4 million people, and it’s been rationing water since January 1 – but it may not be enough. 60 percent of residents currently lack access to reliable sources of water, and the city could run dry by September."

Days to remember

09 August: National Women's Day
12 August: World Elephant Day

Current dam capacities

Woodstock Dam:
74.0%

Katse Dam:
27.9%

Sterkfontein Dam:
92.1%

Grootdraai Dam:
%

Vaal Dam:
90.5%

Bloemhof Dam:
97.5%

*at time of print 24-08-2017

 

Weather at Zwartkopjes July 2017

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WATER WISE, PLEASE CONTACT US ON: 0860 10 10 60

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