City's "Water/Sanitation Weeks" Extended Throughout March 2007

Water Week is usually a time when water shortages and other water issues are highlighted more than at any other time during the year, yet Cape Town has many such awareness-raising events throughout the year.

Water Week is a national event, in the third week of March and was initiated by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry in 1996. For the second year now, this has been coupled with Sanitation Week, which this year is the last week in March. Water Week and Sanitation Week events have grown and expanded so much this year that the City of Cape Town is celebrating this initiative with a packed programme throughout March.

Existing partnerships with Cape Town Festival and Metrorail Edutrain have been key in the lead up to Water Week, and several departments and directorates have been working in collaboration with each other. Water Services, Scientific Services, Health Services, Environmental Management are all contributing towards this year's events. This integrated approach provides stability and consistency and linkages to other projects, thus ensuring that the City talks with one voice.

The Cape Town Festival partnership provided the opportunity to pass on water saving messages through music/art based workshops for the youth.

From 12 - 16 March as a result of the partnership with Metrorail's Edutrain and a collaboration with the City's Youth Environmental School (YES) Programme, primary school learners (grades 4-6) were educated on water and sanitation issues facing our communities. Some 4 300 learners and 300 teachers were reached.

During Water Week (19 - 23 March), the YES Programme will continue with visits to water treatment plants. During this week there will be two media events on the 20th in Khayelitsha, Site C and Mitchells Plain will focus on be looking at water quality testing. The first two shopping mall promotions relating to the new water bylaws will take place; 21st at Khayelitsha Mall and the 23rd at Bayside Mall, with a further ten taking place over the next three months.

During Sanitation Week (26 - 30 March) there are two more media events. On the 26th March, in Site B, there will be an event which will focus upon the different types of sanitation services provided to communities and on the 30th March the event in Du Noon will focus on prevention of blockages. On 28th and 29th March water users across the city will be able to visit the Water Saving Devices Expo at the Alphen Centre, Main Road, Constantia where a range of devices, as well as water saving ideas and tips, will be on show that will make it easier to comply with the requirements of the new water bylaws.

Issued by:
Communication and Marketing
City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 2201
Fax: 021 957 0023

Media Queries:
Catherine Wilson
Water Services
Tel: 021 761 0989