The present shortage of water, intermittent water disruptions, low water pressure and related infrastructure breakages are now part of our lived reality, along with load shedding.
The University, through the Water Crisis Management Team and the Safe Campus Coordinating Team, is implementing various measures to mitigate these challenges, including immediate (emergency water support) and medium-term water support plans to enable the institution to continue operating without too much discomfort.
Responsibility
Each staff member and student is also expected to play his or her part by continuing to save water, both on campus and within his or her neighbourhood, in leading by example.
Saving water is everyone’s responsibility, and so all planning and decisions should take this into consideration.
The University may, for example, move some face-to-face assessments, re-assessments and other activities to Missionvale Campus (which gets a reliable supply of water from the Nooitgedacht Scheme) for two weeks, while alternate water supply facilities are put in place on our Summerstrand campuses (see below).
Interventions to cut back on water by the different divisions, such as catering, cleaning, horticulture, Madibaz Sport, student residences and events, will be shared, starting with HR.
HR directive
Right now, the current water status and implementation of mitigation plans on the Gqeberha campuses, bar Missionvale, should not be considered a major deterrent for staff not to report for duty on campus.
Certainly, all essential, critical and other staff as identified by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, who are core to the academic project, should remain on campus to ensure that the institution is fully functional.
As such, line managers should continue to manage their teams so that the academic project is not compromised, and that the relevant operational support is provided. If staff are required to report for duty on campus, these staff members should do so. This expectation is dependent on the division’s role within the institution, and therefore, no blanket ruling can be made applicable.
Like the pandemic, the water situation can change very quickly.
This means the institution may constantly need to embrace ever-changing ways of operating to navigate the present, and any new, challenges.
Phase 1: Emergency plans
While the recent rains have granted the Metro a reprieve in terms of Day Zero (when the taps run dry), the University is still implementing a number interventions to better manage water usage on its affected campuses.
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Various ablution blocks are being closed
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Additional water tanks are being strategically positioned across the University’s campuses
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Drinking water is being secured for these tanks
Phase 2: Additional water resources
The welcome rain has also given the University additional time to implement its medium-term plans – that of connecting alternative water sources to the Municipal reticulation system. This reclaimed and borehole water means the University will be able to continue without too much discomfort to its staff and students.