gailine johannes isn't well-off, and has always been economical about water consumption. there's no swimming pool in the yard and just one tap in the kitchen. her family takes care not to waste a drop of water. gailine: the people here in our house, they are very precisely because of the water that is being wasted. like children playing with the water, throwing everyone wet in the street. and i also learn my child to never waste water because of the water restriction that is here very highly. reporter: but thanks to the water shortage, gailine has found a job. a water conservation project was recently set up close to her home. she and a few other local women now go to work every morning. johneline: it's a good opportunity y r us. there is high unemployment in the commmmunity and this is an opportunity for us to generate an income for our families. reporter: the women clear shrubs from this huge wasteland. rainwater and treated domestic wastewater seep into the atlantis aquifer. after filtering through the sand for three years, the groundwater is returned to the city's wat