CAPE TOWN is experiencing its worst drought in a century and, consequently, an unprecedented water crisis. Despite severe water rationing, the city is inching towards ‘Day Zero’ ie when the city’s authorities will cut the running water supply to all but essential services.

Residents have responded with remarkable collective responsibility. Long queues can be observed around the drinking water distribution points. By limiting showers to 90 seconds, swimming in the sea rather than pools, and washing cars with non water-based options, the people have drastically cut down on water usage. Tourists of all backgrounds are also cooperating by limiting the use of fresh towels, flushing toilets as little as possible, using a cup of water while brushing teeth, and limiting the use of laundry services. As a result, consumption is down from about a billion litres per day to about 550 million litres. Earlier predicted to occur on May 11, Day Zero has now been pushed forward to June 4.

Water scarcity can hit any region, including Pakistani cities, given the precarious climate change regime. One needs to become ‘water wise’ to ward off risks associated with any such scenario.

While most major urban settlements here are aligned along the Indus or other rivers, the risks of a climate change-induced water shortage can affect us any time. It is frightening to consider that if such a water crisis were to hit our cities, there would be serious repercussions due to our unpreparedness, lack of planning and communication disconnect between the water supply utilities and consumers. Besides, in many locations the water supply status is already stressed. Such a crisis could severely exacerbate existing issues if not addressed scientifically.

What can we learn from Cape Town’s water crisis response?

Water conservation under ordinary circumstances is an effective way to manage potential shortages. This includes strict monitoring of pipes, faucets and other gadgets related to water use. It is commonly observed that little care is given to fix leaking taps and pipes in public places or dwellings. Studies show that one leaking joint or tap can cause a loss of about 6,000 gallons per month. A sensible way to optimise water access is to curtail undesirable losses. Nowadays, monitoring equipment that can trace the existence of leaking pipes buried underground is easily available.

In Karachi, more than 10 per cent of the city’s water supply is consumed in washing vehicles. Estimates show that about 60 gallons are spent in a normal car wash. With exponentially rising numbers of vehicles, this quantity will increase and cause greater pressure on existing resources.

Similarly, with over 200,000 mosques in Karachi, a sizable amount of water is utilised during ablutions in each establishment. Experiments have shown that, after very basic treatment, this water can be directly used for gardening and horticulture support purposes.

There is also much potential for smart approaches to store and reuse rainwater during monsoons and other rain spells. This can even be achieved at the single dwelling unit level. With a slight alteration in roof design and adjustment in house plumbing, substantial water quantities can be stored and used for various non-drinking uses by the households.

Similarly, waste water management in our cities also needs careful reappraisal. Previously, sewerage disposal was aimed at discharging in a few, centrally located treatment plants. Examples from most Pakistani cities show that this did not work. In Karachi alone, about 500 million gallons of waste water is directly discharged into the sea without any treatment. This seriously impacts the marine life and our coastal environment.

Lessons may be derived from countries that have decentralised waste water treatment at the neighbourhood and house levels for better monitoring, operations and system maintenance. Japan’s cities display many worthwhile examples of using bioreactors — devices and systems for waste water treatment using biological and chemical processes — to efficiently reclaim used water. Given that we are so fond of automobiles from that country, surely we can also benefit from learning about its scientific solutions.

There is a huge need to bring about attitudinal change regarding our relationship with water. We need to devise strategies to sensitise all categories of water users about methods of its conservation and careful usage. From semi-literate domestic help workers to chief executives in the corporate sector, each one needs to be informed about how to use water prudently. The Supreme Court’s recent verdicts in related cases have also directed concerned government departments to initiate water education on a comprehensive level. It is our collective responsibility to protect Earth — the water planet.

The writer is a professor and the dean, Faculty of Architecture and Management Sciences, NED University, Karachi.

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2018