A critical resource in South Africa is Water. This is a big reason for concern since it is reported that less than 10% of the annual rainfall in South Africa is available as surface water. Thus, its fresh water supply is limited. Make no mistake though in assuming all rainfall waters are stored in huge underground reserves. Unfortunately, the underground water reserves of the country are also limited.

In most instances, demand for fresh water exceeds supply and in other instances, the quality of supplied water is below standards. This is according to a report by the World Wildlife Fund.

 As a little girl, I often wondered why we never had enough supply of water into our taps back home when I could see coastal lines with unmeasurable quantities of water both sea and fresh. Growing up however, I have come to understand the impacts of climate change, urban development, loss of natural habitats and even large-scale agriculture on natural water reserves.

Climate change is a phenomenon we can no longer deny as its effects have become increasingly evident worldwide. Increasing temperatures of the earth implies the evaporation of our water resources accounting for less than 10% retention of rainfall on the South African soil. Also, increasing temperatures means more precipitation would fall as rain but less as snow. Snow plays an important role in replenishing natural water reserves by slowly melting over summer unlike rainfall that rapidly fills up water reserves but quickly evaporates in summer. This is just one aspect of the effect of climate change on water reserves.

Urban development affects the quality of water resources due to increased human activities in a limited space. With urbanisation comes increased waste, increased use of chemicals and increased building, mining and construction activities that adversely affect the amount of pure water available for human consumption. This leads to water pollution and lack of clean water for many people in urban areas. South Africa, as a fast-paced developing country has increased rates of urbanisation which have adverse effects on water systems.

The destruction of natural habitats is an aspect of environmental degradation that leads to the depletion of water resources. Various components of the water cycle are destroyed when natural habitants are destroyed. This affects the water reserves available to be used

Finally, large-scale agriculture also contributes to loss of water resources. It is estimated that only 2.5% of all the water resources on earth is fresh water. Out of that 2.5%, 85% of the fresh water is used for irrigation of farmland, golf courses, and parks with majority being farmland. South Africa, as a major producer of crops thus uses a lot of water in irrigation. All these contribute to low levels of water resources in the country

POINTS TO NOTE:

• The impacts of climate change, urban development, loss of natural habitats and even large-scale agriculture on natural water reserves cannot be ignored
• We must learn to use water wisely and cultivate sustainable habits that would help conserve water.