The call comes after videos circulated on social media showing groups of children carrying buckets of water and pouring it over motorists, passengers, and pedestrians. In one of the videos, a motorbike driver was seen being targeted by a group of children who not only threw water at him but appeared to attack him.

The department of water and sanitation (DWS) has since called on South Africans to rethink how water is used during celebrations and in everyday life following the concerning incidents reported on 1 September.

“Spring Day is a time for people, particularly young people, to come together, have fun and welcome the arrival of spring. However, celebrations should never result in the unnecessary waste of water or come at the expense of another person’s dignity, safety, or rights,” said water and sanitation spokesperson Wisane Mavasa.

The department said it had observed with deep concern the extent to which water is sometimes used during Spring Day celebrations.

“In a country where communities continue to experience water challenges, deliberately wasting water for entertainment is concerning and highlights the need for a change in how water is valued and used. This concern is even more pressing as South Africa anticipates the effects of El Niño, which can bring higher temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and drier conditions in some parts of the country.”

Mavasa said these conditions could place additional pressure on already limited water resources, making responsible water use even more important.

The department also raised concerns about reports and incidents in which people had been subjected to humiliation and intimidation in the name of Spring Day celebrations.

Mavasa said celebrations should never involve forcing another person to participate in an activity against their will or subjecting them to conduct that compromises their dignity or safety.

“No tradition, social activity, or celebration should be used as an excuse to violate another person’s rights. The department calls on young people and communities to find enjoyable and creative ways of celebrating Spring Day without wasting water or harming others,” she added.

Mavasa said responsible water use should not only become a priority when a municipality introduces restrictions or when a community is facing an immediate shortage.

Responsible water use needed to become part of everyday behaviour, with simple actions such as avoiding unnecessary water use, reporting leaks, and using water wisely collectively making a meaningful difference.

The department said government continues to work to strengthen water security, maintain and improve water infrastructure, support municipalities, and protect the country’s water resources. However, these efforts required public support.

Government programmes and infrastructure alone cannot secure the country’s water future if water continues to be unnecessarily wasted.

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