Water crisis looms in Gauteng

'DAY ZERO': STORAGE LEVELS 'SIGNIFICANTLY LOW' - » Rand Water tells municipalities to curb losses, repair leaks and enforce by-laws.

- Marizka Coetzer

There are growing concerns over water shortages in Gauteng after the water entity warned of very low supply and an increase in demand due to the spokesperson heatwave.

Rand Water Makenosi Maroo said yesterday that they were concerned that water storage levels throughout the province had significantly declined due to excessive after-withdrawals by municipalities.

She said the entity had repeatedly warned municipalities about the potential crisis.

"Unfortunately, the crisis we sought to prevent has now materialised. Water supply systems in Gauteng, including Rand Water reservoirs, are critically low and the situation is anticipated to worsen with the ongoing heatwave," she said.

Maroo said the only viable solutions were water conservation and demand management.