The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in conjunction with Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBMM) embarked on a public water saving campaign to ensure that there is adequate water for everyone in the area.

During the campaign held at 12 of the busiest intersections in the city which dominated morning traffic, motorists and pedestrians passersby were implored to reduce their water consumption now and utilise 50 litres of water per person per day.

A total of 90 water ambassadors employed by the city put up 70 hanging boards and disseminated approximately 40 000 leaflets containing information such as; we have a problem, together we can turn it around, #EveryDropCounts, # SaveWaterNow, #PushBackDayZero and 50 litres per person per day.

The campaign occurred at the following traffic intersections; William Moffat and Cape Road, Walker Drive and Kabeka Road, Walmer 17th Avenue and Buffelsfontein Road, Kempston Road and Commercial Road, Baywest Boulevard and Old Cape Road, Kragga Kamma and Cape Road, Burt Drive and Brumlin Street, Circular Drive and Kragga Kamma, Walmer-Heugh Road and 3rd Avenue, Man Road and 14th Avenue, Main Road and 6th Avenue and also La Roche Drive and Strandfontein Road.

NMBMM Executive Mayor, Councillor Eugene Johnson also joined the team of water ambassadors in conscientizing residents about the water crisis in the area.

Speaking about the situation Councillor Johnson literally begged water users to adhere to strict water-saving measures.

“We are faced with a dire predicament and we all need to come to the party, if we don’t save water now our taps are soon going to run dry, let us do our utmost best to keep our water utilisation to a maximum of 50 litres per day per person” Executive Mayor Johnson stated.

The Metro has not experienced any significant rainfall for the past seven (7) years and this has led to water levels dropping alarmingly low.