Authorities seem to say our behaviour towards water use is the key to enough.
Sipho Mosai, Rand Water’s Chief Executive Officer, said at the Gauteng Water Imbizo, held in September 2024, there is enough water to go about, this is subject to water use efficiency.
“The Director General of Water and Sanitation, said the reality is, although they have limited the amount of water we can take from dams, that water is still enough, as we have indicated, non-revenue water is too high including consumption per day, leaks and other losses” said Mosai.
Generally, each person consumes about 233 liters of water per day, in Gauteng.
The Imbizo, was organized by Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, to find mechanisms and systems, to address the water crisis.
At the Imbizo, David Mahlobo, Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, did not mince his words about the crisis.
” Alarmingly, there is no Municipality within the Gauteng Province, that has achieved a consistent 100% or 99% water supply to its citizens, without disruptions.
We cannot allow the situation to continue because water will become a security threat within the Province.”
Rand Water’s social media blurb on Thursday, reminded Municipalities of necessary next steps, to curb the crisis.
Actions are to impose water restrictions, as part of water use efficiency, coupled with restrictions on irrigation times (6am or late in the afternoon after 6pm), to reduce water loss due to evaporation.
The third measure is to ensure water leaks are repaired within 48 hours.
The fourth, is to disconnect illegal connections and to collect revenue for water supplied.
About 70% of freshwater in South Africa is used for agriculture, but a report by Wits University (Water data Hub for Gauteng), dated September 2024, suggests 46% of water is lost through failing infrastructure or theft.