Level 1 water restrictions will remain in place until March 2025 in an effort to avert a water crisis in Gauteng.

These Level 1 restrictions apply to all municipalities in Gauteng, including Tshwane, due to severe pressure on water supply systems.

Residents are expected to comply with several restrictions, such as not watering their gardens between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Additional restrictions include prohibiting the cleaning of driveways with hoses, regulating car wash businesses, and limiting showers to three minutes.

Municipalities have been warned to reduce high water consumption or face dry taps. These restrictions are a direct response to the severe water shortages faced by Rand Water, aimed at preventing a full-scale water crisis in Gauteng.

At an Imbizo meeting held on Friday, 13 September, Rand Water revealed the high levels of stress caused by excessive water consumption, driven by a growing population and poor water management practices. The meeting was conducted in collaboration with the Gauteng provincial government, councilors from various municipalities, and the Department of Water and Sanitation.

Rand Water’s CEO, Sipho Mosai, stressed the importance of municipal cooperation to enforce the restrictions and prevent a system collapse. He highlighted Tshwane’s consistent overconsumption and urged the city to cut back on water usage.

Additionally, Mosai revealed that Rand Water is under financial pressure, with municipalities owing more than R5 billion in unpaid bills. He pointed out that it takes Gauteng municipalities an average of 89 days to settle water service invoices, citing poor performance as the main reason for delayed payments.

Level 1 water restrictions, including the suspension of irrigation at public facilities, will be in place until March 2025. Mosai also identified illegal water connections in informal settlements and non-paying residents as contributing factors to the province’s water shortages.

“I urge municipalities to take decisive action to ensure sustainability by disconnecting illegal water connections,” Mosai said. He also called for municipalities to hold individuals accountable for vandalism of water infrastructure, which further exacerbates the problem.

During the low-consumption winter period, Tshwane continued to register high water usage, Mosai added, calling on communities to work with Rand Water to address illegal connections. He emphasized that Rand Water staff face threats when trying to access areas to remove illegal connections, with some regions only being accessible with a security escort.

Rand Water’s duties are being hindered by these issues, delaying crucial projects.

Meanwhile, Tshwane’s water supply remains stable, according to Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo. However, illegal connections and water leaks in the distribution system continue to be major challenges. Mashigo mentioned that the city has begun replacing old pipes and implementing pressure management and water-saving education initiatives to manage demand.

Public education and awareness campaigns will be rolled out by the city’s water-saving officers, Mashigo added.

Councillor Malcolm de Klerk of Ward 101 urged residents to use water responsibly to ensure a stable water supply for everyone. He mentioned that illegal connections in his ward are being addressed. Similarly, Ward 82 Councillor Siobhan Muller pledged to work with the metro to ensure all residents in her ward comply with restrictions and conserve water.

“The only solution now is to ensure that residents save water, report leaks, and take action to reduce water wastage,” Muller stated. She warned that if water is not conserved, the city may face dry taps.

Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo cautioned that neglecting water infrastructure and poor water management not only hinders progress but also poses a serious threat to water security in the province. Mahlobo emphasized that Gauteng continues to face water supply challenges due to increasing demand.

“It is alarming that no municipality in the province has consistently achieved 100% or even 99% water supply to residents without disruptions. This situation cannot continue, as water shortages will become a barrier to social transformation, economic growth, and could even lead to security threats in the province,” Mahlobo warned.

He urged councillors not to allow decision-makers to delay service delivery to their communities.

Afrikaanse Weergawe: Pretoria News