PRETORIA, march 10– Water leakages cost South Africa 7.0 billion Rand (about 651 million US dollars) per year, forcing the Department of Water Affairs to initiate a project called War on Leaks.

The country has seen a number of protests sparked by water shortages but this has not stopped this precious resource from being wasted.

According to the Department of Water and Environment Affairs, as much as 37 per cent of water is lost through leaking taps.

The department has secured R5 million to train unemployed youth in the field of plumbing in order for them to be employed by municipalities to fight this loss. Thie project is being implemented in partnership with the Rand Water Academic College.

The Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, says water is not only lost in households, but in clinics, hospitals and public and government buildings.

SOURCE: SABC