Latest news with #DayZero
IOL News
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- IOL News
How much water does your washing machine and 10-minute shower use?
We break down how much water each appliance uses Image: Pexels Although the threat of Day Zero may feel like a distant memory, South Africa's water crisis is far from over. With average daily consumption sitting at 218 litres per person, which is well above the global average, reducing household demand remains critical. One of the best ways to save water starts at home: by understanding how much water our everyday appliances consume. Water use per appliance Washing machines are one of the biggest culprits in residential water usage, accounting for a staggering 23% of household water consumption. Depending on the model, the difference in water use per cycle can be dramatic. Beyond the laundry room, the following common appliances and activities show how quickly litres can add up: Showering Standard showers: 15 litres per minute Electric showers: 6 litres per minute A 10-minute standard shower can use 150 litres. Bathing A full bath uses around 80 litres Toilets Modern dual-flush: 4–6 litres per flush Older models: Up to 13 litres Leaking toilets can waste up to 400 litres per day Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Dishwashers New models: 14 litres per cycle On eco mode: As little as 10 litres Washing dishes by hand Running tap: 9 litres per minute Using a basin: 8 litres per wash Car washes Hosepipe: Up to 300 litres per wash Bucket: 30 litres Statistics According to a 2024 GCIS report on water and sanitation, South Africa is ranked among the 30 most water-scarce countries globally. South Africa sees an average daily water usage of 218 litres per person, far above the international benchmark of 173 litres. For those serious about conservation, one can do a simple water meter test: compare readings before and after using a specific appliance. To do this successfully, ensure that no other water use is in between. You can also try tweaking your daily routines. Small changes, like switching appliances and fixing leaks, can result in significant savings. IOL
Hype Malaysia
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Culture-Shaking Collab Drops As Travis Scott Joins Oakley As Chief Visionary
This gives us life! After years of Travis Scott fuelling the Oakley brand through his stage wardrobe and eyewear choices on the record-breaking Circus Maximus tour, the two cultural powerhouses have come together to officially partner and reimagine eyewear, apparel, and more. Oakley has officially named Travis Scott as their first-ever Chief Visionary, announcing a multi-year partnership that will reimagine the brand's creative future. Travis Scott and his Cactus Jack team will work closely with Oakley to push the boundaries of design, innovation, and cultural impact to new heights. Throughout recent years, Travis Scott has been a huge driving force on Oakley's cultural renaissance, integrating the brand's signature eyewear and iconic logo into his post-apocalyptic tour wardrobe, helping shape its resurgence through organic connections and creative alignment. His arrival as Chief Visionary marks a new chapter in Oakley's 50-year legacy of making the unconventional feel inevitable. 'Today marks a bold new chapter in Oakley's history as we proudly welcome Travis Scott as our Chief Visionary – a title that speaks to creativity, belief, and purpose, to forge something that's not only different – it's defining,' said Caio Amato, Global President of Oakley The partnership will see Travis Scott and his Cactus Jack creative team working together with Oakley's team to create new campaigns, reimagine Oakley's classic catalogue of styles, and offer perspective on Oakley's future eyewear and apparel, featuring some of Travis' on-stage tour favourites. The two parties will also create totally new eyewear styles together and introduce collaborative apparel through Travis Scott's Cactus Jack brand lens. 'I'm inspired by what people think can't be done. It's about pushing culture and reworking ideas to see how far they can go,' said Travis Scott, Oakley Chief Visionary. 'Oakley's design game is next level, and I had to be part of that. We're building something that blends legacy with the future – this is just the beginning.' To celebrate the launch of the partnership, three Day Zero items have been made available on Riffing on classic sunglass shop marketing materials, the limited drop includes a 3-poster pack and two apparel pieces offering an early glimpse into what's to come. Stay tuned for more: @travisscott // @oakley // shop on
The South African
18-07-2025
- Climate
- The South African
Western Cape dam level RISE a relief for City of Cape Town residents
The Western Cape's major dams are swelling fast as persistent winter rains lash the province, bringing much-needed relief and pushing dam levels well above the 80% mark, according to the latest data from the City of Cape Town. As of Thursday, 17 July, the combined storage level of the six major dams has reached 83% capacity – up from 79.8% the previous week. While encouraging, the current levels remain slightly lower than the 93.1% recorded at the same time last year. Theewaterskloof Dam : 78.4% (The province's largest dam, supplying over half of Cape Town's water) : 78.4% Voëlvlei Dam : 80.7% : 80.7% Berg River, Steenbras Lower, Steenbras Upper, and Wemmershoek Dams: All show steady gains Forecasters are predicting more cold fronts and sustained rainfall in the coming days, which could give dam levels another boost as the Western Cape benefits from a wetter-than-average winter season. The rising dam levels are a stark contrast to the 2017-2018 water crisis, when Cape Town faced the looming threat of Day Zero – the point at which municipal water supplies would be shut off. During that period, Theewaterskloof Dam plunged below 20%, and water rationing became a harsh reality for residents. Although the risk has eased considerably, officials are reminding the public not to become complacent. 'While dam levels are encouraging, climate variability and long-term water demand still pose significant risks,' a City spokesperson warned. 'Water conservation must remain part of our everyday habits.' Residents are urged to continue using water sparingly and report leaks to help maintain the city's improved water security. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
BRICS+ Series: Tackling the Global Water Crisis Through BRICS
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (3-L) speaks during a plenary session of the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 7, 2025. BRICS leaders at a summit on Sunday took aim at US President Donald Trump's "indiscriminate" import tariffs and recent Israeli-US strikes on Iran. (Photo by Mauro PIMENTEL / AFP) Image: AFP Understanding the BRICS Water Dilemma The global water crisis is no longer a distant threat but an unfolding reality. By 2025, an alarming 2.8 billion people, roughly 35% of the world's population, will face water scarcity. In the face of this escalating emergency, BRICS, a powerful bloc from the Global South, is emerging as a leader, not just in survival, but in charting a path forward. Water insecurity varies among BRICS nations, reflecting the bloc's diversity and scale. India, for instance, faces one of the most severe water stress crises globally. Despite housing 18% of the world's population, it possesses only 4% of its water resources. This disparity has led to high to extreme water stress for over 600 million Indians, with groundwater depletion in areas such as Punjab and Haryana reaching unsustainable levels. Despite being a global leader in infrastructure, China grapples with significant regional disparities. The northern part of the country, home to over 40% of its population and a large portion of its agricultural land, possesses only 20% of the nation's water resources. To address this imbalance, China has invested over $79 billion in the South-North Water Transfer Project, the world's largest water diversion scheme. Brazil presents a striking paradox: it holds 12% of the world's freshwater, yet major areas, such as São Paulo (Latin America's largest city), have endured recurring droughts. This situation is exacerbated by Amazon deforestation, which imperils the flying rivers in the atmosphere vital for rainfall in southern agricultural regions. South Africa is an arid country that has experienced severe droughts over the past decade. Notably, Cape Town's 2018 Day Zero water crisis garnered international attention. The Department of Water and Sanitation warns that the country faces a 17% water deficit by 2030 unless immediate action is taken. While Russia possesses substantial freshwater reserves, mitigating its vulnerability in terms of volume, persistent pollution and inadequate management, particularly within Siberia and the Volga River Basin, present considerable long-term challenges. The expansion of BRICS introduces greater diversity to the global water landscape. Ethiopia's Blue Nile projects, while causing geopolitical tension, reflect a sovereign effort to utilize water for development. Egypt, which relies on the Nile for over 90% of its freshwater, is highly susceptible to climate fluctuations and upstream damming. Iran grapples with both water scarcity and mismanagement, whereas the UAE, heavily dependent on desalination, is investing significantly in technological advancements. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Water and Sovereignty: A Political Standpoint BRICS's water strategy subtly challenges the West's long-standing influence over global environmental policies. For too long, organisations like the World Bank, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and various Northern think tanks have shaped global water security discussions. BRICS is advocating for a shift, promoting financing models that prioritise national interests and fostering scientific collaboration built on mutual benefit rather than exploitation. Over $2.5 billion has already been approved by the New Development Bank (NDB) for water-related infrastructure, encompassing projects from Indian irrigation systems to rural South African sanitation. The NDB is set to launch a Green Water Bond Framework in 2025, which will provide concessional loans to member states for water purification, storage, and climate-resilient infrastructure. What sets BRICS apart is its perspective on water. It is viewed not as a commodity for privatisation, but as a shared human right and ecological resource. This perspective emphasises solidarity over exploitation. Challenges Ahead, but a Clear Mandate The path forward, while challenging, presents an opportunity for BRICS to leverage its collective political will, scale, resources, and burgeoning sense of shared destiny. Obstacles such as slow coordination, uneven data, and simmering geopolitical tensions (for example, the Ethiopia-Egypt Nile dispute) persist, but these do not diminish the potential for progress. For the Global South to overcome the gravest environmental challenge of the 21st century, water sovereignty and sustainable management must be spearheaded by those with an intimate understanding of its implications. BRICS is not merely reacting to a crisis; it is actively redefining it. Through this process, BRICS has the potential to guide the world toward a water future that is more equitable, secure, and sustainable. In a world where future conflicts could be sparked by water scarcity, BRICS presents a path of cooperation rather than militarisation. This cooperative approach, in itself, sets a valuable precedent Written By: *Dr Iqbal Survé Past chairman of the BRICS Business Council and co-chairman of the BRICS Media Forum and the BRNN *Sesona Mdlokovana Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group African Specialist ** MORE ARTICLES ON OUR WEBSITE ** Follow @brics_daily on X/Twitter & @brics_daily on Instagram for daily BRICS+ updates
The Hindu
13-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Deteriorating condition of water bodies draws attention at agricultural seminar in Coimbatore
The deteriorating condition of water bodies and its impact on agriculture emerged as a central theme during the deliberations at the seventh edition of 'Uzhave Thalai', an annual agricultural seminar organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Coimbatore. The event was held at the Codissia Trade Fair Complex on Sunday. S. Senthur Pari, president of ExNoRa International Foundation, delivering the keynote address, said that while 65% of the country's population remained engaged in agriculture, 88% of farmers owned less than two hectares and faced persistent challenges linked to shrinking water availability, poor soil health, and rising input costs. Citing government data, he pointed out that Tamil Nadu, despite comprising only 4% of India's land and 7% of its population, had access to just 2% of the country's water resources. Referring to Chennai's 2019 'Day Zero' crisis, he warned that Coimbatore region was dependent on neighbouring Kerala for drinking water while water for agriculture remained scarce. 'In the last 30 years, we have lost one-third of our water bodies,' he said. He added that urban lifestyle changes, coupled with polluted water sources, were contributing to rising health concerns, including diabetes and cancer. With water scarcity intensifying, farmers were now compelled to shift towards less water-intensive crops. The seminar featured sessions led by farmers and subject experts. Topics covered included neem-based agri-business management, tamarind cultivation in drought-prone areas, kodukapuli as a drought-resistant wealth crop, sustainable dairy practices, critical success factors for long-term viability, balanced feeding strategies, and nutrition requirements.
