Cultural Affairs and Sport

[1]  Whether [a] mass opportunity and development centres [MODs], [b] public libraries and [c] museums have undertaken water-saving efforts; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

1. Yes, MOD’s, public libraries and museums have undertaken water-saving efforts, see below for the relevant details thereof:

[a]  With regards to conserving water, the Mass Opportunity and Development centres [MODs] have embarked on a strategy to:

• Deepen people’s understanding of water and the importance thereof;
• Share basic water saving measures, e.g. close taps properly;
• Create an awareness in learners to reduce water consumption at school, at home and anywhere that they may find themselves, e.g. at the sports field;
• Encourage learners to have conversations about water saving, e.g. with classmates / schoolmates / friends / family;
• Introduce and share innovative water reduction measures; and
• Share information about water and water saving measures on a regular and consistent basis.

[b]  Public Libraries have undertaken water-saving efforts.

Metro Libraries

The following measures have been introduced in the City of Cape Town’s libraries since September 2017:

The establishment of a Water Management Team [WMT] consisting of 11 members [representing 4 library operational areas and the LIS Head Office].  The WMT was responsible for conducting a water audit in 103 libraries, as well as in the Collection Development Unit [CDU]. As a result of this audit,

• Library staff could locate their stopcocks in the event of a water pipe burst and prevent the loss of unnecessary water;
• Outside taps were all fitted with locking devices or removable heads to prevent misuse of water, and/or vandalism to water devices;
• The use of hand sanitizers were implemented in all libraries to reduce the consumption of water by staff;
• Libraries inserted bricks/2L Coke bottles in their toilet cisterns to reduce consumption of water;
• Library urinals have been closed to reduce the consumption of water. Urinals are cleaned once a day with a bucket of warm water and bleach, and sprayed with a water and bleach solution when required;
• Dishes are washed once a day to reduce water consumption;
• Where possible libraries are using grey water to flush toilets.

In addition to the above measures,libraries are undertaking measures to create awareness and inform the public of the water crisis by:

• Incorporating water-related programmes in usual activities;
• Putting up posters and displays to create awareness;
• Using social media platforms, eg facebook to create awareness and inform; and
• Liaising with other City Departments and Provincial Departments to conduct programmes on all water-related issues.

Non-Metro Libraries

Measures being introduced by the various non-Metro Libraries across the Province include:

• Keeping public toilets locked to avoid kids playing with water.  The keys are kept at the front desk of the Libraries.
• Removing the top/handle of the outside taps.
• Ensuring all leaking pipes is fixed.
• Making use of hand sanitisers instead of soap.
• Switching off of geezers.
• Activities to promote awareness by means of exhibitions and putting up official posters [some  examples attached]

The Western Cape Library Service produced a #SaveWater poster and stickers, which was printed and distributed to all Public Libraries in the Western Cape.  The poster is also made available via the departmental website at https://www.westerncape.gov.za/general-publication/savewater.

[c]. Museums:

The Department has been liaising with all affiliated museums in order to ensure that they minimize water usage and implement water saving efforts. The following efforts have been implemented at affiliated museums:

• Installation of the hand sanitizers in bathrooms;
• Provision of bottled drinking water for museum staff;
• Usage of grey water for ablution facilities;
• Collection of rain water to be utilised in the irrigation of gardens and cleaning of the museum properties;
• Use of dehumidifiers to collect water to be utilised for cleaning; and
• Some museums have transformed their gardens by planting water wise plant species.
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In addition, SA Fisheries Museum has access to a borehole water system for ablution. Bartolomeu Dias Museum collects its water from a natural stream within its premises. Such water is pumped into five 10 thousand litre tanks. This water is used for irrigation, ablution and other non-water related activities.

Question

[2]    Whether her Department has engaged with privately owned sports facilities, including gymnasiums, stadiums, swimming pools, equestrian centres, golf, cricket, rugby, hockey and soccer clubs, in the province to reduce water usage; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

RESPONSE:

[1] The Department did not engage with privately owned sport facilities on the impending water crisis, but did so with the custodians of sport in the Western Cape, namely the various Sport federations.  The Cape Town Sport Council held a meeting with their federations with representations from the City of Cape Town sharing challenges and successes.  The Department of Cultural Affairs was part of this intervention.  The Western Cape Sport Confederation will have a similar meeting for the greater Western Cape Province with the Western Cape Sport Federations on the reduction of water usage by the various sporting codes. The Department will be part of this intervention.