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(The Post News)- According to experts, the water supply crisis is accelerating towards an all-encompassing failure in Gauteng. The province is facing a critical imbalance between supply and demand, despites efforts by water authorities, experts predict the arrival of a “full-blown Day Zero” unless urgent steps are taken.
Freshwater ecosystems expert and senior lecturer at North-West University, Dr Mandla Dlamini took note that the crisis is aggravated by a combination of factors such as population growth, industrial expansion, and ageing infrastructure are straining a system not designed to handle the current demand.
Dlamini says the inconsistent rainfall patterns driven by climate change are worsening the crisis, which makes the water supply increasingly unreliable.
Professor Anthony Turton from the University of the Free State’s Centre for Environmental Management gave warning that Gauteng is on the verge of a “full-blown Day Zero crisis” as he cites the collapse of municipal water infrastructure as a primary cause, with Johannesburg Water losing half of its water supply due to leaks and mismanagement.
He explains with emphasis that the water infrastructure in many municipalities is so damaged that it is incapable of holding the water needed, regardless how much water is supplied.
With concerns raised in the Platform for a Water Secure Gauteng (PWSG) report by The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has identified key issues such as underinvestment in infrastructure, high levels of water loss, and increased theft and vandalism, also highlighting that the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, which is a critical source of water for the province has been delayed, with Phase 2 expected to be completed only by 2028.
Dr Dlamini took note that while some municipalities such as Midvaal have initiated projects to rehabilitate infrastructure, the efforts have been slow and insufficient. With climate change being another driver of the water crisis in Gauteng, Dr Dlamini gives warning that the unpredictable rainfall patterns and rising temperatures are reducing the dependability of the province’s water sources.
Having Gauteng’s water supply on the verge of collapsing, experts concur that only collaboration and responsible management can avoid s total system failure in Gauteng. The DWS has set a target for a 10% reduction in water demand, which will be a goal requiring a unified effort from municipalities, businesses and residents.
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