NEWS

WATER
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March 17, 2024

Water crisis in Gauteng

The water crisis is caused by ageing infrastructure and a high demand

Of late, Gauteng is experiencing issues with water. The City of Joburg has blamed increasing demand and aging infrastructures for their recent water shortages while City of Tshwane has urged its residents to use water sparingly in order to avoid reservoirs running dry following an emergency meeting with Rand Water, the City of Johannesburg and the City of Ekurhuleni yesterday.


DRY RESERVOIRS


Rand Water has reiterated that its water supply system is under significant pressure which could potentially result in a complete collapse of the system in the Tshwane reservoirs.

City spokesperson Lindelani Mashigo said the water utility has already closed some of its water supply points at Brakfontein and Rooihuiskraal, which may impact various areas in Tshwane. Mashigo added that Tshwane is taking proactive measures to manage the escalating situation.

?The City is observing high water consumption or usage, which exacerbates the situation. Furthermore, the City is currently exceeding its limit in terms of the bulk water supply allocation. Residents are therefore requested to assist to avoid the system collapse by using water wisely, sparingly and when it is absolutely necessary.?


INCREASING DEMAND AND AGEING INFRASTRUCTURE 


Meanwhile, Johannesburg Water's managing director, Ntshavheni Mukwevho, said the city was dealing with an issue of ageing infrastructure.

?We have a challenge of backlogs ? and these backlogs are historical. We should have been investing at a higher pace than what we have invested. Currently, we have a backlog of R1.7 billion so this is the infrastructure that we should have bought or replaced in terms of existing infrastructure,? he said.

Johannesburg Water?s operations manager, Logan Munsamy revealed that one of the causes of the water crisis was due to increasing demand.

"It's not only the hot weather conditions, there's leakages, there's densification in these areas.Some of them are growing and infrastructure is also old and needs a bit of TLC and upgrades,? said Munsamy.

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