Although water is flowing through taps in the affected Tshwane region again after reservoirs are filled, experts warn that the water crisis is still on.
Some residents have been without water for more than a week, while others have experienced water pressure problems and shut down due to load shedding.
On Monday, City of Tshwane Mayor Randall Williams met with Rand Water to discuss water supply challenges.
“Our focus is to get the high water reservoirs to recover in areas such as Soshanguve, Mooikloof, Grootfontein and Laudium. These areas are already short of water, up to a week more,” he said.
The water problem is serious
Williams said the city received the most water out of the three metros in Gauteng.
Water pressure in the city’s system is increasing due to rising Rand Water reservoir levels, city spokeswoman Selby Bokaba said.
“We are asking for more water to flow into the channels that supply Mooikloof and Grootfontein. Both reservoirs have started to show signs of recovery. Mooikloof reservoir is sitting at 50% and Grootfontein at 57%,” he said.
“If supply stays as it is, we should see a significant increase in that level,” he said.
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Hennops River Revival founder Tarryn Johnston says people don’t realize there isn’t an endless source of water.
“We have to be resilient with what we have. When the city asks residents to reduce consumption, consumption increases. We cannot expect an unlimited supply of water. We have become a wasteful society.”
Johnston said he started rainwater harvesting.
“We are very conscious of water consumption in our house. Last week, I had a flushing unit for about R150 installed to flush the toilet meter. It only flushes if you hold the handle down and saves water.
Also read: ‘Use water sparingly’ – Joburg Water urges residents
Johnston said sparing every drop of water helps.
“If each of us saves 1ml of water, imagine the millions of liters we can save. I don’t think the water ban is because people have to feel the pain of not having water, so we can respect it.
The infrastructure is crumbling
Gerrie Brink of AQUAffection says people don’t realize the scale of the water problem in Gauteng.
“The release is just a bit of a highlight, but it’s already happening in Gauteng and it will allow Cape Town’s zero day to look like a Sunday school lesson.”
Brink said residents assume there is no water problem because when there is running water.
“Yes, there has been a lot of rain and the dam is full, but the water cannot reach PDAM because our infrastructure is damaged,” he said.
Also read: Rand Water completes generator installation as power outage reduces water supply
Brink said there is a 40% loss of water before it reaches the PDAM due to infrastructure.
“When we get to day zero without water, we can’t turn water on and off like electricity because water depends on the pressure that flows.”