“Water has become a scarce and therefore more valuable commodity”“There are lots of things that we can do as water consumers, whether at home or in our business, to help save water,” says Evan Schiff, event director for African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa. South Africa is currently experiencing drought conditions and cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg have implemented water restrictions.“Easy changes that one can make is to only take showers instead of a bath, use your waste water to water your garden and if you have a swimming pool, to install a cover over it to prevent evaporation”, says Evan. “Also this holiday period is a good time to check all the taps and water connections in our homes and businesses and fix any leaks. It is scary to think that a leaky tap that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 11 000 litres – that is enough water needed to take more than 180 showers!”Evan adds: “water, while once an abundant natural resource, has become a scarce and therefore more valuable commodity due to droughts and overuse. Effective and innovative water management is fundamental to ensuring the optimum use of our water resources and how technical innovation can improve water delivery. Water utilities have to explore both innovative and alternative water supply options in order to meet rapid growth in urban demand, including wastewater reuse, grey water recycling, storm water, rain water harvesting and seawater desalination.”The City of Cape Town and Johannesburg Water have some great practical water saving tips available online:•    https://www.capetown.gov.za/EN/ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCEMANAGEMENT/TIPS/Pages/WaterSavingTips.aspx •    http://www.joziwater.co.za/campaigns/water-saving-tips/ Water resource management will form an important part of the programme of the 16th African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa conference and trade exhibition that returns to Cape Town from 17-19 May 2016 – gathering some 6000 engineers, stakeholders and solution providers from around the globe. The event will feature 250 exhibitors, 250 speakers, a six stream strategic conference, a free-to-attend technical conference on the expo floor, three high-profile keynote sessions, technical site visits and the coveted industry awards gala dinner. The African Utility Week Industry Awards also include categories for African Water Executive and Water Utility of the Year where pioneering water utilities and innovative projects for saving water are recognised and celebrated. The trade exhibition will be free when registering in advance and showcase water and energy saving technologies and services for the industry and feature hands-on demonstrations and CPD-accredited technical workshops on the exhibition floor. African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa are organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. Other flagship events in Spintelligent’s power portfolio are East African Power Industry Convention (EAPIC), West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC), iPAD Rwanda Power & Mining Investment Forum and iPAD Cameroon Energy & Infrastructure Forum. Dates for African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa 2016:Conference and expo: 17-19 May 2016Awards gala dinner:  18 May 2016Site visits: 20 May 2016Location: CTICC, Cape Town, South AfricaWebsites: www.african-utility-week.com  Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfricaUtilities  Linkedin: African Power ForumContact:Communications manager:  Annemarie RoodbolTelephone:  +27 21 700 3558Mobile:  +27 82 562 7844Email:  annemarie.roodbol@spintelligent.com