Water Conservation and Demand Management

WATER CONSERVATION AND DEMAND MANAGEMENT

BWB has positioned itself to assume a leadership role in initiating, supporting and championing initiatives that encompass the ethos of water conservation and demand management. This approach is founded on the recognition that water is a scarce, essential, valuable and finite natural resource that must be preserved and utilised in a sustainable manner.

BWB recognises that focussed demand management is essential to minimise and delay supply infrastructure development in the interests of sustainable affordable services. In order to give effect to this approach BWB is actively initiating, supporting and championing the measures listed below.
BWB will also work together with other organs of state in its service area, including the ICMA.

REHABILITATION OF NATURAL WETLANDS

BWB will continue to support the rehabilitation of natural wetlands and projects associated with environmental conservation in order to protect source water. Furthermore, BWB also continues to support the removal of invading alien plants in order to protect water resources, including co-operation with the Working for Water and Working for Wetlands programmes.

POLICY DEVELOPMENT

BWB promotes water conservation and demand management in the total water supply industry through active support, participation and sponsorship of the development of legislation, codes of practice, standards and by-laws. BWB has developed and distributed booklets addressing promotion of water conservation for educating communities.

INFLUENCING CONSUMPTION PATTERNS

BWB has initiated and sustained programmes focused on changing consumption behaviour in specific consumer segments in order to reduce water consumption, water wastage, unaccounted for water and entrench an understanding of the economic value of water through:
 Undertaking leak repair projects in selected townships.
 Promoting the manufacture and use of water saving devices and fittings.
 Providing consulting and advisory services.

WATER CONSERVATION AND DEMAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES OR ACTIVITIES.

BWB undertakes water education awareness campaigns annually at schools. The program is called “BWB: The Water Journey,” and it focuses on influencing people’s perspective and attitudes towards water. Brochures are used to educate community members to utilize water sparingly and care for water resources.
BWB is currently rolling out a “water for health and economic development” program. Schools (grades five to seven) compete in an arts competition on the above-mentioned topic.

BWB annually runs a programmes inviting community structures, municipalities, schools and organized bodies within its expanded service area to visit the water works in order to learn about the magnitude of effort, resources, technology and infrastructure employed in the purification of potable and waste water. The initiative raises awareness about the water that reaches user’s taps, and how much this costs. When the above groups visit water works, water conservation education is also conducted.

EXTERNAL SOCIAL POLICIES AND PROGRAMS

BWB’s corporate social responsibility / investment programme seeks to use the resources and activities available within BWB, in the spirit of good corporate citizenship for the benefit of all people in its area of jurisdiction. The primary objective is to contribute to socio-economic development of communities and further enhance the image of BWB. BWB has established the Bushbuckridge Water Foundation and committed 1% of the net annual income for the activities of the foundation.

The main objectives of the foundation are:
To provide economic empowerment to communities.
To transfer skills and create jobs.
Provide training on environmental management.