Oct. 28, 1999 — Officials in South Africa released a report warning that the country's water will soon be in short supply. The demand for water is expected to increase by 50 percent during the next 30 years. Already, nearly half of the country's inhabitants don't have access to clean water.
Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Valli Moosa said, "I hope that through reporting we will raise awareness in our country of environmental issues and the importance of preserving it for generations to come."
The landmark environmental report, which is the first national environmental study produced by the South African government, concluded that much of the current water supply is contaminated with industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, acid drainage from mining, sewage and debris.
Projected growth and development will put an added strain on South Africa's resources and will cause them to be unsustainable. The report said that industries and businesses need to cut back on their use of natural resources and take responsibility for recycling.
The report also addressed the problem of the depletion of the ozone layer, which has raised amounts of ultraviolet B radiation to dangerous levels for six months out of the year in the cities of Pretoria and Cape Town. Increased exposure to the radiation heightens the risk of skin cancer and cataracts.
