Environmental Health head appeals to all to “use water sparingly” as MUT prepares to celebrate National Water

Dr Thobile Poswa

The University’s Department of Environmental Health is inviting staff and students to join it on 19 March 2024 at the Faculty of Natural Sciences. The celebration is part of the national celebration of National Water Week, whose high point will be 22 March 2024, the day on which the whole world will be celebrating World Water Day. Dr Thobile Poswa, the Head of the Department, said the annual observance was established by the Department of Water and Sanitation to underscore the significance of water as an essential natural resource. The department is thus appealing to the university community to use water sparingly to ensure “Water For All”, which is a theme for 2024. Dr Poswa said the National Water Week presents a crucial opportunity to highlight the intersection between water conservation and environmental health. “Water is a fundamental resource that sustains life and plays a pivotal role in maintaining ecological balance. Therefore, initiatives aimed at conserving water directly contribute to safeguarding environmental health,” said Dr Poswa.

Highlighting the importance of the National Water Week, Dr Poswa said the 2024 theme emphasizes the importance of equitable access to clean and safe water for all individuals. He also said that National Water Week serves the following goals: being a “vital platform” for raising awareness about the sustainable management and conservation of freshwater resources; and allows reflecting on a collective commitment to addressing the global water crisis and advocating for the availability and sustainable management of water for all, aligning with the core objectives of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6.

According to Dr Poswa, the 2024 National Water Week campaign is aimed at educating the public about their responsibility in water conservation initiatives, raising awareness around the need to protect and conserve the country’s water resources.