Water crisis for Joburg residents
Rand Water and Johannesburg Water have called on residents to reduce their water consumption as their systems are under strain.
Gauteng started its yearly level 1 water restrictions on 1 September 2023, which will run until 31 March 2024 to ensure that there is a sustainable water supply during Rand Water’s increased demand period caused by the higher temperatures.
However, the systems in Johannesburg are still under pressure as there has been a noticeable increase in water consumption from customers’ meters.
Although Rand Water’s primary and secondary stations are operating at maximum capacity, the entity has been unable to keep its reservoirs at high levels due to High Consumption by customers in the city and surrounding areas.
As the system is integrated, customers who are using water sparingly are also being affected.
“High potable water consumption may result in the collapse of the system, which will result in intermittent water supply,” Rand Water and Joburg Water said.
“South Africa is a water-scarce country; therefore, consumer behaviour is important in ensuring sustainable and equitable water supply.”
The utilities gave the following tips to help reduce water consumption:
- Avoid watering lawns and gardens with clean drinking water
- Refrain from filling up swimming pools until consumption has reduced.
- Do not clean paved areas and driveways with clean drinking water.
- All public facilities, e.g., Filling Stations, to reduce flow and number of taps.
- Wash your cars only on weekends using buckets.
- Take a two-minute shower instead of using bathtubs.
- Do not leave your tap running when brushing teeth.
- Fix all leaking plumbing features in your houses.
- Flush toilets only for the brown and not the yellow.
- Report leaking water pipes to respective local municipalities.
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