The real Grinch of Gauteng’s ongoing and escalating water woes

Gauteng water users, whether residential, industrial, or commercial, have had to deal with escalating water woes in 2024.

The water crisis is no longer an approaching threat—it has been slowly unfolding over the past decade with numerous voices sounding the alarm. Predictions have unfortunately become reality, with a clear escalation of water woes since 2021 within the province’s metropolitan areas, specifically the City of Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni, as well as Mogale City.

The province is at a water crossroads where the next two to five years, and beyond, will determine whether we avert an irreversible crisis in terms of water availability, quality, and supply. The undeniable water crisis should be sincerely acknowledged by all levels of government, stakeholders, and civil society to enable and ensure that the correct immediate actions are taken to turn this dilapidated ship, in which we are all in, around onto the correct course.

Gauteng, the home to approximately 15 million people and the country’s economic hub, has been at the forefront of the country’s water challenges. The water sources on which the province heavily relies are under increased strain, facing a combination of unsustainable water wastage and demands, escalating pollution, and diminishing water quality.

The several contributing factors of the province’s current dire water situation and outlook are no secret, with the primary ones being poor planning and management, lack of investment and/or mismanagement of funds, demand outstripping supply, infrastructure neglect and decay, and ongoing pollution—all affecting the availability, quality, and reliability of water supply.

The gravity of Gauteng’s water reality cannot be overstated. The decisions that are currently being made, as well as those in the next five years, will either alleviate or exacerbate the crisis. If no swift and appropriate actions are taken, the stark reality related to water supply will include more frequent and prolonged water outages/dry taps—even when/if the dams are full. The far-reaching ramifications of the water crisis have become more and more evident as each week passes. Residents have had to deal with escalating unreliable water supply, prolonged dry taps, and either poor communication or no response at all, with the most vulnerable members of society—who already struggle with access to basic services—bearing the brunt of ongoing dry taps and illusive alternative water supply.

Unreliable water supply also leads to industry and businesses facing more frequent disruptions and possible financial losses, while the diminishing water quality of already scarce water sources through ongoing pollution has led to escalating treatment costs and threatens human health, food security, and overall water security. All levels of government must recognize that water of a suitable quantity and quality is the lifeblood of Gauteng’s economy and society, requiring a collaborative effort and suitable support of those who have been tasked with the responsibility of fixing and turning the dilapidated ship around.

All is not hopeless if actions are immediate, suitably prioritized, coordinated, and sustained. Some of the key continued actions and steps to be taken by government, businesses, industries, and citizens include the following. Reinforcement of water conservation measures through public awareness and education campaigns, promotion of water-efficient technologies and water-saving measures, adoption of water recycling measures—especially in industry and businesses—and lastly, stricter regulations on water use if water demand management measures show to be quantifiably ineffective in the short term.

Overhauling Gauteng’s aging water infrastructure is a priority and requires investment to repair and upgrade existing infrastructure, build new water storage facilities, and address the overall instability of the currently strained water reticulation system. Other immediate actions include the reduction of all forms and types of pollution, diversifying the water mix, strengthening and ensuring informed governance and coordination, and lastly, embracing overall water resilience to be prepared for climate uncertainty.

The upcoming critical maintenance period scheduled by Rand Water should, therefore, not be met with name-calling. A request was made by different stakeholders for Rand Water to perhaps postpone this critical maintenance period due to ongoing high temperatures, below-average rainfall, and the municipal water distribution system being under immense pressure due to demand—which includes physical losses, etc.—outstripping supply.

The planned maintenance will focus on making the three Eikenhof pump station’s engine rooms independent and increasing flexibility due to increasing demand—focusing on improving the availability and reliability of the Eikenhof system, which supplies two-thirds of the City of Johannesburg’s water. If this critical maintenance is not done, it will threaten overall sustainable water provision to all of the affected municipal customers and industries.

A possible postponement was investigated by Rand Water and could unfortunately not be granted due to governance issues. Importantly, it should be noted that all affected municipal customers and industries were issued a 21-day notice by Rand Water on 13 November 2024, as required. Municipalities were therefore suitably informed and warned regarding this upcoming scheduled and necessary maintenance period. The time should have been used to ensure stability within the municipal water distribution system and implement various strategies to suitably prepare municipal customers and industries for the 86 hours of maintenance on the Eikenhof pump station, where pumping will be reduced to 20%. Levels of frustration and the degree of overall concern regarding Gauteng’s growing water woes are at an all-time high and will continue to rise.

The reality of Gauteng standing at a crossroads with decisions taken now affecting the upcoming years water supply needs to be acknowledged by all who are affected and involved. Urgent and sustained action is required from all sectors of society, requiring support from all levels of government, i.e., national, provincial, and local.

Only with a comprehensive, unified approach can we ensure that Gauteng’s water resources are secured and that the province remains a hub of life and commerce. Let us try to leave name-calling and different agendas, which do not contribute to solutions, at the door. Focus should be on trying to ensure a collective effort, as the future water supply and the province’s overall water resilience and security depend on it.