Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
13 March 2024 | 14:44 SAST
1 minute read

Image: Radio Islam International

Residents in several suburbs of Johannesburg are facing an acute water crisis, enduring weeks without running water.

Professor Anthony Turton, an expert in water resource management, explains that Johannesburg Water, as the city’s registered service provider, is legally responsible to provide water to residents.

“And in this case, Johannesburg Water is the legally mandated service provider for the city of Johannesburg,” Professor Turton says.

Professor Turton highlights that while South Africa faces water scarcity challenges, the current crisis is not due to a lack of water in dams and catchment areas. Rather, deficiencies in water processing infrastructure and governance failures at municipal levels are at the core of the issue.

“It’s often said that because we’re a water-scarce country that this is the cause for the disruption. That is not true at all. In the last couple of years, our dams have been the fullest they’ve been for many, many decades. So it’s not just a question of not having water in the dams or the rivers,” Professor Turton explains.

He warned that unless urgent action is taken, the situation could deteriorate further, with dire consequences for both residents and the economy. The failure to deliver basic services like water not only exacerbates poverty but also undermines investor confidence, posing a threat to national security and economic stability.

Looking ahead, Professor Turton foresees an increase in public-private partnerships in addressing the water crisis. He highlights successful examples of such collaborations in other regions and emphasises the need for innovative solutions to ensure sustainable water management in the country.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Junaid Kharsany here.