News from the South African water sector

Abstract

UPFRONT Water by numbers * 9% – Africa’s share of global fresh water resources. * 1 200 – The estimated number of dams in Africa. More than 60% of these (539) are located in South Africa and Zimbabwe (213). * 21% – The percentage of South Africa that receives less than 200 mm rain a year. * 21 billion m3 – The estimated total volume of water utilised for human activities in South Africa. Of this volume, 52% is used for agriculture and irrigation, 4% for forestry, 4% for industry, 10% for domestic use, and 19% allocated to ensuring a sustainable environment. * 20 000 – The estimated number of work opportunities created to date by the Working for Water programme. * 70% – The percentage of industrial waste dumped untreated in developing countries’ water resources. * 40% – The percentage of the world’s population without basic sanitation. * 40 000 – The work hours lost every year in Africa to the need to fetch drinking water. * 1 000 – The estimated tons of water required to produce one ton of grain.

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