BenefitsofWCWDM.docVIP

PD Naidoo Associates  PAGE 4 of 4 WATER CONSERVATION/WATER DEMAND MANAGEMENT: OUTLINE OF BENEFITS . 1. BACKGROUND The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), Directorate Water Use Efficiency tendered and commission consulting firms, PD Naidoo Associates, DMM Development Consultants and WRP Consulting Engineers, to provide professional services to undertake the study Water Conservation and Demand Management: Upper and Middle Vaal Water Management Areas. As part of the terms of reference for this project, it is required that a document outlining the benefits of WC/WDM measures among local authorities be compiled. This document constitutes fulfillment of this deliverable. It looks at the conceptual perspective around these concepts, rationale, water conservation and demand management measures and benefits accruing from there. 2. OVERVIEW OF WATER CONSERVATION/WATER DEMAND MANAGEMENT Conceptual perspective Despite the fact that South Africa is surrounded by the oceans it is often mentioned that its water resources will be fully utilized within the next twenty to thirty years if current water demand patterns are not changed. The opportunity of Water Conservation/Demand Management exists because most of the time consumers use water for the service they derive from it and not for the water itself. Through new technologies combined with a change in behavior water usage can be reduced significantly without necessarily changing the desired outcome or quality of life of individuals. The need for WC/WDM in the water services sector, water usage through WSA, is essentially very important even though this sector uses les than 15% of South Africa’s fresh water resources. However this is the sector along with Industry where there are projections of larger future growth. This has the implications of the need for continuous development and new infrastructure. The need for WC/WDM