WATER CRISIS IN GAUTENG

The weather might be looking much better in Gauteng compared to the rest of the country, but it comes with its consequences.

Since 1 September, water restrictions have been in place. This was announced by Rand Water Group Chief Executive Sipho Mosai.

The Vall Dam, Gauteng’s major water source, was below half capacity (45.2%) and declining by the week.

Some of the restrictions include a ban on watering gardens between 6 am and 6 pm. These hours have now been extended to 8 pm and car washes are now only permitted on weekends.

A suggestion was given to limit showers to 3 minutes at a time.

Mosai told a Water Imbizo on Friday that these restrictions must be enforced until March 2025. He also called for a moratorium on irrigating public facilities.

To encourage conservation, tariffs may be introduced.

Mosai said Rand Water is currently under growing financial strain, with municipalities owing the utility more than R5 billion in unpaid debt.

“The Department of Water and Sanitation has approved an annual abstraction limit of 1 600 million cubic metres (4 384 megalitres per day) from the Integrated Vall River System”.

Image credit: The Citizen