Pictured: Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi

The Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, officially launches the Water Conservation and Demand Management Forum today, Thursday, 27 June 2013, in Scottburgh, KwaZulu-Natal.

According to a statement by the Department of Water Affairs, in a recent study by the Water Research Commission, it has been reported that water is lost in the

system with a reported loss for KwaZulu-Natal of 37.2%, hence the launch of the Water Conservation and Demand Management Forum to address the challenges of water loss and non-revenue water.

This Forum is heralded as a first of its kind by the Department, but most importantly is set to assist in reducing the water loss. The forum’s focus includes resolving intermittent supply and focusing on providing a proper service, fixing of internal plumbing leakages by municipalities “regardless if services are paid for or not”, fixing of visible leaks on the distribution network and bulk metering and calculations of non-revenue water.

Accurate metering, reading and billing and consumer awareness and elimination of inefficient use are also targeted focus areas.

According to the Department of Water Affairs, prior to the official launch and signing of the pledge, the Deputy Minister will actively contribute to the initiative by fixing leaking taps and toilets at indigent identified households in the region currently experiencing water leaks.

All Water Service Authorities in KwaZulu-Natal, Metropolitan Municipalities and Umdoni Local Municipality are expected to attend the launch.