Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
16 September 2024 | 19:33 CAT

Photo: Pixabay.com

Gauteng residents are celebrating the end of winter. Still, with warmer weather quickly resulting in high temperatures, the bad news is that Rand Water anticipates a rise in demand and municipalities in Gauteng are enforcing level 1 restrictions in the province.

At a water imbizo held on Friday, 13 September, Rand Water’s group chief executive (GCEO) Sipho Mosai, in collaboration with the Gauteng provincial government and the Department of Water and Sanitation, revealed the need for level 1 restrictions in the province.

During the imbizo, Mosai revealed some of the entity’s challenges, including high water consumption and illegal mining and connections. He called for imposing level 1 restrictions and a moratorium on irrigating public facilities in the province until March 2025.

Rand Water supplies water to four provinces, part of North West & Free State, Mpumalanga and Gauteng, having over 17 million people relying on the services.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo pointed out some of the entity’s challenges.

“The first challenge is high consumption experienced between Spring and Summer which Rand Water is currently trying to control through water management efficiency,” says Maroo.

Maroo highlighted the realisation that vandalism of infrastructure, illegal connections and the encroachment of servitudes.

Under level 1 water restrictions, gardens are prohibited between 6:00 and 18:00. This has been the case for most residents, especially in Johannesburg, for quite some time. Residents are no longer permitted to wash paved areas and driveways using hosepipe.

Meanwhile, Johannesburg Water recently announced the Sandton meters will be closed from 20:00 – 4:00 the next day due to increased water demand.

Johannesburg Water said the shutdown ensures supply distribution to struggling systems and areas within its network.

Earlier this year, experts warned that the water system in Johannesburg is on the verge of collapse as taps were dry in most parts of the metro.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Muallimah Annisa Essack and Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo here.