Through water leak detection and plumbing repairs to school facilities, the Source of Life Water Conservation Project aims to save 10 million litres of water in ± 35 Durban township schools.
Looking at schools in KwaMakhuta, Ezimbokodweni, Isipingo and Umlazi township areas, the project focuses on the schools’ water supply infrastructure and the work needed to ensure its optimal functionality. After a full assessment of the state of the facilities, a local plumbing business has been appointed to carry out the immediate repairs as well as to service the school going forward.
Part of this work includes monitoring and recording the water consumption before and after the repairs, which will not only ensure the success of the repairs but critically will highlight just how much water is lost due to leaks and minor plumbing issues. The initial assessments on this project estimate that once it is completed close to 10 million litres of cleaning drinking water will be saved!
The key highlights of this project include:
- The staggering amounts of water lost due to insignificant water leaks and minor plumbing issues
- The reduction of high water bills due to water loss for the schools
- Enterprise development with 5 additional jobs created by the appointment of local plumbers
- Learner education of the importance of water conservation and the role we play in it.
Why Do Water Leaks Go Unchecked?
Most public schools in South Africa lack adequate funds to maintain school facilities, including water and sanitation facilities.
Findings from the triple-P teams on the ground indicate that schools generally do not have organisational structures for planned facilities maintenance, nor do they have policies on the maintenance of their facilities. This leads to poor function and infrastructure collapse resulting in leaking toilet systems and taps causing schools to lose hundreds of litres of water daily.
And it isn’t only water loss, it is the money that goes along with it, the money it costs the school itself, and the money is costs the country. Addressing water loss issues in schools directly helps reduce the loss of portable water that is currently costing South Africa billions of rands annually and putting pressure on natural water resources to meet the ever-increasing water demands.
Read more about water conservation efforts through the triple-P partner Diageo and their 2030 Water of Life Strategy
