Gauteng, we have a water problem.
In recent years, the water crisis has gotten worse in the province, and a myriad of problems have contributed to this. According to the 2023 Blue Drop Report, which looks at how well water supply systems across the country are working, Gauteng provides drinking water to the largest population of 13,928,777 people in South Africa. Couple that with infrastructure that hasn’t been maintained and upgraded for the last 10 to 15 years, and you’ve got a problem on your hands.
The Department of Water and Sanitation oversees water service providers to ensure they are managing water resources properly. This includes planning and implementing measures to prevent water shortages and ensuring drinking water meets quality standards.
Water boards like Rand Water supply large quantities of water to municipalities, mines, and industries by pumping it from sources like the Vaal River/Dam. They treat this water to make it safe to drink and then deliver it to local municipalities. These municipalities, such as the City of Johannesburg, distribute the water to their residents through their networks of pipes and reservoirs.
Ensuring access to clean drinking water is a responsibility shared by all levels of government, as stipulated in Section 27 of the Constitution. In some cases, private companies also manage or operate water treatment plants. Given the water issues faced by Gauteng, the government has called upon the private sector to step up and invest in water infrastructure to help alleviate the situation.
Gauteng also has an ageing water reticulation system, and according to Ayesha Laher, a water scientist at AHL Water, about 40 percent of water in Gauteng is lost through system leaks and illegal connections. “We have pipes that are more than 50 years old and are ageing. We’re not managing the water reticulation network well,” says Laher. She questions why we’re not using new technologies to detect leaks. “We need great technology to find leaks and illegal connections.”
Professor Anja du Plessis, Associate Professor at the University of South Africa and Water Management expert, agrees. “Currently, the Gauteng Province lacks the implementation of innovative technologies or approaches to ensure reliable water supply, as is evident from the increase in frequency, magnitude, and duration of water outages, mostly due to defective and damaged water infrastructure,” she says.
The report also checks whether the infrastructure is in good condition, whether it’s being maintained properly, whether it’s being used correctly, whether the water is being treated right, whether there is good monitoring and control, and whether the staff is well-trained. Surprisingly, Gauteng has the highest percentage of drinking water systems with excellent or good performance, at 62%, followed by the Western Cape at 50%.
Laher points out that the water problems in Gauteng (and the country at large) are partly due to the absence of a water-saving culture in South Africa. “As South Africans, we need to value water more. Even I’m guilty of this as someone who works in the water space,” she admits. She underscores the dual nature of the problem. “People need to understand the importance of paying for services like water, as this lack of funds hampers necessary infrastructure upgrades. We need to instil a culture of payment and a culture of respecting water,” says Laher.
The water shortages in Gauteng have had far-reaching consequences, raising concerns about a potential health crisis. Laher warns that the province’s water problems could lead to serious health issues, affecting not just drinking water but also the functioning of hospitals and overall hygiene. For instance, did you know that water cuts can lead to sewer blockages, posing a significant health risk? This is just one of the many ways the water crisis impacts our daily lives.
Laher and du Plessis point to how the City of Cape Town avoided Day Zero as a successful case study of governments’ and individuals’ roles in combating water crises. “The increasing role of the consumers is to try and use less water as called for by Johannesburg Water, Rand Water and affected local municipalities. Consumers must adapt to water shortages and unreliable water supply as this crisis will not be solved overnight. A successful case study can be the real-world example of how the City of Cape Town narrowly avoided day zero due to an intense and focused water security strategy and water conservation campaign,” says du Plessis. This shows that with the right strategies and collective effort, we can also overcome the water crisis in Gauteng.
The water crisis in Gauteng is a complex issue that requires urgent attention and collective action. The province’s growing population, ageing infrastructure, and lack of water-saving culture have exacerbated the situation. However, there is hope. We can overcome these challenges by implementing innovative technologies, investing in infrastructure upgrades, and promoting a culture of water conservation. The successful case of Cape Town’s water crisis management serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that we can ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply for Gauteng with the right strategies and collective effort. It is crucial for all stakeholders, from government officials to individual citizens, to play their part in preserving this vital resource for future generations.
A Drying Province: Inside Gauteng’s Water Emergency
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Gauteng, we have a water problem.
In recent years, the water crisis has gotten worse in the province, and a myriad of problems have contributed to this. According to the 2023 Blue Drop Report, which looks at how well water supply systems across the country are working, Gauteng provides drinking water to the largest population of 13,928,777 people in South Africa. Couple that with infrastructure that hasn’t been maintained and upgraded for the last 10 to 15 years, and you’ve got a problem on your hands.
The Department of Water and Sanitation oversees water service providers to ensure they are managing water resources properly. This includes planning and implementing measures to prevent water shortages and ensuring drinking water meets quality standards.
Water boards like Rand Water supply large quantities of water to municipalities, mines, and industries by pumping it from sources like the Vaal River/Dam. They treat this water to make it safe to drink and then deliver it to local municipalities. These municipalities, such as the City of Johannesburg, distribute the water to their residents through their networks of pipes and reservoirs.
Ensuring access to clean drinking water is a responsibility shared by all levels of government, as stipulated in Section 27 of the Constitution. In some cases, private companies also manage or operate water treatment plants. Given the water issues faced by Gauteng, the government has called upon the private sector to step up and invest in water infrastructure to help alleviate the situation.
Gauteng also has an ageing water reticulation system, and according to Ayesha Laher, a water scientist at AHL Water, about 40 percent of water in Gauteng is lost through system leaks and illegal connections. “We have pipes that are more than 50 years old and are ageing. We’re not managing the water reticulation network well,” says Laher. She questions why we’re not using new technologies to detect leaks. “We need great technology to find leaks and illegal connections.”
Professor Anja du Plessis, Associate Professor at the University of South Africa and Water Management expert, agrees. “Currently, the Gauteng Province lacks the implementation of innovative technologies or approaches to ensure reliable water supply, as is evident from the increase in frequency, magnitude, and duration of water outages, mostly due to defective and damaged water infrastructure,” she says.
The report also checks whether the infrastructure is in good condition, whether it’s being maintained properly, whether it’s being used correctly, whether the water is being treated right, whether there is good monitoring and control, and whether the staff is well-trained. Surprisingly, Gauteng has the highest percentage of drinking water systems with excellent or good performance, at 62%, followed by the Western Cape at 50%.
Laher points out that the water problems in Gauteng (and the country at large) are partly due to the absence of a water-saving culture in South Africa. “As South Africans, we need to value water more. Even I’m guilty of this as someone who works in the water space,” she admits. She underscores the dual nature of the problem. “People need to understand the importance of paying for services like water, as this lack of funds hampers necessary infrastructure upgrades. We need to instil a culture of payment and a culture of respecting water,” says Laher.
The water shortages in Gauteng have had far-reaching consequences, raising concerns about a potential health crisis. Laher warns that the province’s water problems could lead to serious health issues, affecting not just drinking water but also the functioning of hospitals and overall hygiene. For instance, did you know that water cuts can lead to sewer blockages, posing a significant health risk? This is just one of the many ways the water crisis impacts our daily lives.
Laher and du Plessis point to how the City of Cape Town avoided Day Zero as a successful case study of governments’ and individuals’ roles in combating water crises. “The increasing role of the consumers is to try and use less water as called for by Johannesburg Water, Rand Water and affected local municipalities. Consumers must adapt to water shortages and unreliable water supply as this crisis will not be solved overnight. A successful case study can be the real-world example of how the City of Cape Town narrowly avoided day zero due to an intense and focused water security strategy and water conservation campaign,” says du Plessis. This shows that with the right strategies and collective effort, we can also overcome the water crisis in Gauteng.
The water crisis in Gauteng is a complex issue that requires urgent attention and collective action. The province’s growing population, ageing infrastructure, and lack of water-saving culture have exacerbated the situation. However, there is hope. We can overcome these challenges by implementing innovative technologies, investing in infrastructure upgrades, and promoting a culture of water conservation. The successful case of Cape Town’s water crisis management serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that we can ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply for Gauteng with the right strategies and collective effort. It is crucial for all stakeholders, from government officials to individual citizens, to play their part in preserving this vital resource for future generations.
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