Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
25 September 2024 | 10:41 a.m. SAST
2-minute read

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As the water supply network in Gauteng faces a severe crisis, Day Zero can still be averted—provided the ongoing blame-shifting between municipalities comes to an end, and all stakeholders commit to collaboration.

The Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) implementation of the Platform for a Water Secure Gauteng (PWSG) has made significant progress in coordinating efforts from the public sector, private sector, and civil society to bolster water security.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, water scientist Professor Anthony Turton outlined the root causes of the problem, including increasing demand, the inadequate maintenance of infrastructure and the delay in building the Polihali Dam.

“Another part of the problem is the Phase two of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, the Polihali Dam was supposed to be online already, but it is not online because there were attempts made to try and renegotiate the tender,” Professor Turton said.

The project is now expected to be completed by 2028. Until then, Gauteng residents can expect a growing gap between water supply and demand.

Although Gauteng has sufficient water resources, threats to its water security persist, making a continuous supply uncertain.

Professor Turton explained, “Water insecurity means that your water is not always available at the pressure and the quality and the price that you need it at.”

He further indicated that the province might need to implement ‘water shifting,’ temporarily shutting down some parts of the system to maintain pressure in others.

Recent claims by Johannesburg Water that Rand Water is responsible for the current issues are unfounded. Rand Water supplies water to municipalities across Gauteng, and the blame game only serves as a distraction from real solutions.

Professor Turton emphasised the importance of prioritising the repair and maintenance of the province’s deteriorating water infrastructure, particularly the leaking pipes that have been neglected for years. This process, he estimated, will take at least 10 years to complete. Meanwhile, contingency plans are essential to ensure water supply continuity during the repairs.

In a positive move, the Strategic Water Partners Network—a coalition of private entities—has begun upgrading skills in financial management and developing long-term maintenance strategies. Additionally, the digitisation of the water value chain, including monitoring instruments across various points in the water delivery systems, will allow for more precise identification of system failures.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.