Gauteng is facing an escalating water crisis that is pushing residents toward costly solutions to secure reliable water access. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Companies such as JoJo Tanks have observed a significant rise in demand for water storage tanks, an option that could become essential for residents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These tanks, with installation costs starting around R15,000, may soon be necessary for those seeking to guarantee a stable water supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Experts throughout 2024 have raised alarms about Gauteng\u2019s water situation, attributing the crisis to collapsing infrastructure, insufficient maintenance, and financial constraints, which together have led to frequent and severe shortages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In\u00a0an interview<\/a>\u00a0with Newsroom Afrika, Dr Sean Phillips, Director-General of the Department of Water and Sanitation, highlighted the gravity of the issue, emphasising that Gauteng\u2019s natural water scarcity is exacerbated by its limited freshwater sources, which are already insufficient to meet the growing demand.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Adding to the problem, roughly 49% of all water in Gauteng is classified as \u201cnon-revenue water,\u201d meaning it is lost before it ever reaches consumers, either through leaks in the infrastructure or through illegal connections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Compounding these issues, the last decade has seen water demand surge, driven by population growth and economic expansion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To address this, South Africa joined forces with Lesotho to establish the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), an ambitious $8 billion project designed to transport water from the mountains of Lesotho to South Africa while generating revenue and hydroelectric power for Lesotho. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The LHWP, managed jointly by Lesotho\u2019s Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) and South Africa\u2019s Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), encompasses a four-phase development plan, including extensive dam and tunnel construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The project\u2019s first phase, completed in 2004, included the Katse and Mohale dams as well as a hydropower station. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, Phase II, which features the construction of the Polihali Dam and an essential water transfer tunnel, began nearly a decade behind schedule and is not expected to be complete until 2028. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Until then, Gauteng will continue to face significant water supply issues, with many residents already feeling the strain as some households have gone months without consistent water access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Given these challenges, residents may soon need to invest in their own water storage solutions to avoid prolonged shortages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n JoJo Tanks\u2019 Sales and Marketing Executive, Sebasti Badenhorst, mentioned in a 702 interview that demand for JoJo tank installations has surged across Gauteng, with accredited installers reporting extended lead times due to high demand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This increase in installations includes not only basic water storage tanks but also systems that incorporate boreholes and additional equipment for those with access to groundwater sources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Badenhorst noted that JoJo\u2019s eight South African factories are equipped to meet this rising demand, just as they had done during Cape Town\u2019s water crisis between 2015 and 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, securing a reliable water source is not inexpensive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The costs associated with water tanks and borehole systems can be significant, making water access an increasingly expensive challenge for Gauteng households. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Based on data from Rand Water, the average South African household uses approximately 237 litres per person each day, which equates to around 7,000 litres per month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Borehole experts at Borehole Repairs estimate that basic 1,000-liter tank systems with pumps start at R14,880, with larger 10,000-liter systems costing over R31,250, depending on size, material, and specific usage requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While tanks and boreholes provide a viable solution for residents, they are symptomatic of a larger issue: the government’s inability to maintain reliable water infrastructure, a basic resource increasingly dependent on personal investment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As Gauteng\u2019s water crisis continues, households may find themselves spending thousands of rands to secure the essentials, signalling a fundamental shift in how South Africans approach and manage water security in the face of persistent infrastructural and environmental challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Africa offers many water storage options, including vertical, horizontal, slimline, and underground tanks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The table below shows the price range and size (depending on the seller, installer, and region). <\/p>\n\n\n\nTank Type<\/th> Capacity Range<\/th> Price Range<\/th><\/tr> Small JoJo Tanks<\/td> 500 \u2013 1,000 litres<\/td> R1,500 \u2013 R3,000<\/td><\/tr> Medium JoJo Tanks<\/td> 2,000 \u2013 5,000 litres<\/td> R4,000 \u2013 R10,000<\/td><\/tr> Large JoJo Tanks<\/td> 10,000+ litres<\/td> R15,000 \u2013 R30,000+<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>
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