Fears over looming water shutdown in Joburg

For example, the South Hills reservoir was at 42% on Monday but stood at 0% on Friday. The Berea reservoir was at 55% on Tuesday and had decreased to 17% on Friday.

In the areas worst affected, the water utility looked at tankers, roaming and stationary, as an alternative supply.

On Saturday, Rand Water raised an alarm about  impending water shortage throughout Gauteng due to excessive water withdrawals by municipalities.

The bulk water utility said it had repeatedly warned municipalities in the province about “this potential crisis”.

It also cited a report that states that a lot if water in metros was being lost due to poor maintenance.

“The only viable solution to address this issue is through Water Conservation and Demand Management. In light of this, Rand Water has advised municipalities to reduce the physical losses of 33%.”

City of Ekurhuleni’s Zweli Dlamini said they have been implementing water demand management interventions for the past 10 years without being prompted to do so.

That has since resulted in the significant reduction of non-revenue water from 40% to 29%, Dlamini said.

“We are doing our best  we can to ensure that our people are educated on the issue of water preservation. We can only do so much. Every week we issue a statement where we talk about water preservation. It will not be enough until we are satisfied that we are winning the battle but will forever continue to educate our people,” he said.

In Tshwane, however, the municipality may have to implement water restrictions if the consumption does not decline.

Spokesperson Selby Bokaba said they have never lifted their level restrictions as it has always been on level one.