Gauteng metros high-water consumption worrisome for Rand Water

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Rand Water has raised concerns about high-water consumption by Gauteng metros amid warnings of constrained systems over the past few months.

The water utility said the impact of heatwave continues to result in high consumption above the set targets in all Gauteng Metros. Thus, high-water consumption has increased significantly above the Metros set targets.

According to spokesperson Makenosi Maroo, Rand Water continues to produce over five-thousands mega liters Ml/d per day.

“In 2023, Rand Water launched Station 5A and increased its maximum peak water production to five-thousand and two hundred Ml/d per day.

“Currently, Rand Water is extracting above its water license and pumping at maximum thus provides more water to municipalities.

“Accordingly, there is no additional water to be produced from Rand Water systems. Approximately, eighty percent of the water pumped by Rand Water goes to the Gauteng Metros.

Maroo stated that the combined weekly water consumption of the Gauteng Metros from November 27 to December 4, 2023, is at 11.8% higher than the set target, implying that the Metros continue to consume more water than their set targets.

She added; “Technical teams from Rand Water and Gauteng Metros continue to collaborate in implementing interventions that strive to stabilise reservoirs’ levels and water supply to various areas.

“In addition, these technical teams have put in place mitigation strategies and alternative interventions to boost water supply.

Stabilising high water consumption

“The technical teams’ efforts to stabilise the system are met with continued high-water consumption, therefore the system is fast depleting.”

Maroo cautioned that, should this high consumption continue unabated, the water systems will eventually collapse.

“The entity is producing and pumping at full capacity and cannot add anymore water into the system, demand is outstripping supply.

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“In addition, we have seen a significant increase in debtors’ days while more water is being pumped.

“This situation is untenable and the immediate solution to it is to reduce consumption and for municipalities to decrease their debtors’ days,” she concluded.