The Answers to Being Water Wise is in Our Hands–literally! Whether you’re 8 or 80, live in a water-insecure city or one that’s currently flourishing, all of us have a responsibility to look at water like gold. Here’s how you can use your hands as a simple guide to being water-wise:
South Africa (07 November 2024) — In times of water prosperity, it’s easy to forget just how quickly things can change from long showers to water restrictions. While cities like Cape Town narrowly escaped Day-Zero just a few years ago, provinces like Gauteng are feeling the burn of the dry season in recent times. Needless to say, being water wise is not limited to any one place; it’s a responsibility we all need to undertake.
But what does being water wise actually mean when so much of our daily activities rely on this life force?
Rand Water’s Water Wise Education Team have been making a splash for many years by breaking down water conservation concepts in easy and understandable ways. Their job is to educate everyone from learners to teachers and adults so that people from all walks of life can understand water issues and adopt mindsets entrenched with water wisdom.
Here’s the thing: water insecurity affects everything. From the farmers who grow our food to the ecosystems that rely on clean water bodies to survive; it’s the life force that impacts all of us.
While the impacts of water insecurity in a world where climate change becomes more apparent are often complex, the solutions we can use to do our part are fairly simple! In fact, the answers lie in our hands.
This is why the Water Wise team uses the HAND concept as its foundational message!
It’s In Your Hands
Respect for Water
When you look at your thumb, think of respect for water. Respecting the value of water and ultimately life, is something we should all give a thumbs up.
Don’t Waste Water
The index finger says ‘Don’t waste water’. Think of it as wagging a finger to water wasters.
The Water Wise team shares that dams and water transfer schemes are not the solution, using less water is. So water wasting (showers that are longer than they need to be or leaving the tap on while washing dishes) is a no-no!
Don’t Pollute Water
The middle finger is reserved for water pollution. Ever been so frustrated by seeing litter in a river that you feel like pulling up your middle finger to those who left the mess? Well, keep that in mind (unless you’re teaching the HAND concept to a child, then you’d likely rather add that the middle finger was chosen simply because water pollution gets in the middle of everything!)
Water pollution certainly does get in the middle of a lot of natural processes and impacts multiple life forms, from humans to marine animals and flora. So, don’t pollute water and don’t allow water to remain polluted either.
Pay for Water Services
The ring finger reminds us to pay for water services (hey, weddings are expensive!). Paying for water services helps ensure that the necessary human resources and infrastructure that supply clean water to taps can operate.
Environmental Action
Our pinky finger reminds us of the promise to take environmental action. Any positive action for water is action for the environment.
Conserve Water, Conserve the Environment
The palm of our hand indicates that conserving water means conserving the environment and that these efforts are in the palms of our hands.
Imparting Water Wisdom
The Water Wise Education team handles a lot of presentations and offers educational materials that are of great value to schools, institutions, parks and eco-focused organisations.
Over the years, the team has used a range of methodologies to impart the Water Wise message to adults, youth, and future leaders. All methodology used is ‘edutaining’, which is the use of entertainment to educate audiences of all ages. The aim is for the audience to have fun interacting with the Water Wise message and gain knowledge about the specific topic and encourage a change in behaviour. They provide interactive programmes on water use, water quality, water treatment, wastewater treatment, wetlands, etc. Examples of their method include:
- Experiments
- Games
- Puppet Shows
- A tapduck mascot called Manzi
- Water quality testing
- Water quantity auditing
- Roadshows
- Exhibitions
- Team building activities, etc.
For more information on the Water Wise educational programmes, you can email waterwise@randwater.co.za.
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