In previous decades in South Africa, we have invested heavily in engineered water infrastructure. But we can no longer solve our water issues by building more dams or canals. We need to rehabilitate and maintain the natural areas which are the sources of water for our cities and farms, and we need to rethink how we use water.
 
We have drained, dammed and polluted vast numbers of critical wetlands, rivers and aquifers – nature’s water storage and filtering powerhouses – thus diminishing the function of these natural systems to provide us with clean water.
 
We urgently need to act on the fact that half of our country’s river flow is provided by a tiny 10% of land area. Yet, most of this land is not protected. These strategic water source areas – the mountain catchments that yield our major rivers – are also critical for food production and the sustenance of many people downstream.

 

Join the WWF Family and be part of the movement to live more in harmony with nature. There is lots you can do!