Water cuts: full story

After facing severe water challenges due to ageing infrastructure in recent months, Gauteng residents must now brace for a potential crisis if municipalities fail to restrict water usage and put in measures to reduce demand without causing disruption to households. Restrictions are not at a critical stage yet, but residents are urged to use water sparingly, says an expert.

- Thando Nondywana

Gauteng is bracing for tighter water restrictions as municipalities implement level 1 restrictions to man age the province’s dwindling water supply.

The province has warned of a potential crisis if municipalities fail to restrict water usage .

The restrictions, which took effect last week following a recent water imbizo, are part of the provincial government’s measures to avert water insecurity and reduce demand without causing immediate disruptions to households.

They will run until March 2025 to ensure system stability during the hot summer months.

Makenosi Maroo from Rand Water highlighted the province’s challenges.

“We have a high water consumption problem in South Africa, consuming 217 litres per day per person compared to the world average of 173 litres per person,” she said.

“This paints a picture of how poorly we manage water. We are introducing water efficiency models to engage municipalities on water usage.”

Municipalities across Gauteng, including Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, are tasked with enforcing the restrictions.

Level 1 restrictions will curb nonessential water usage including filling swimming pools, washing cars with hoses and watering gardens during peak hours. However, the impact will vary from region to region.