Johannesburg Considers Stricter Water Restrictions Amid Supply Shortages

Johannesburg, the business hub of South Africa, is considering implementing stricter water restrictions as it struggles to manage outdated infrastructure and meet rising demand.

Currently, the city has level 1 restrictions in effect, which prevent residents from watering their gardens and using municipal water for cleaning paved areas between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Read: Sarb sounds alarm over poor infrastructure

Logan Munsamy, Johannesburg Water Operations Manager, stated in an interview with Newzroom Afrika that these restrictions are “not entirely effective.” He mentioned that they are considering raising the restrictions, potentially to level 2 or higher. This next stage would prohibit using municipal water for garden irrigation, topping up swimming pools, and using hoses to wash vehicles or clean pavements.

South Africa’s government is facing an escalating water crisis, primarily due to years of inadequate investment and poor maintenance. In October, Rand Water, the largest bulk-water supplier in Africa, cautioned that Gauteng province — which encompasses Johannesburg and the capital, Pretoria — could face severe water shortages unless cities promptly reduce their consumption.

Read: Johannesburg residents, police clash in riot over lack of water

On Wednesday, residents in the Westbury neighborhood of Johannesburg clashed with police over a water outage. The Democratic Alliance party presented a memo to Executive Mayor Dada Morero, indicating that some households have been without water for 70 days.

South Africa’s central bank has highlighted that deteriorating water, transport, and other infrastructure pose a significant risk to the country’s financial stability.

Read: The shocking decline of Joburg in 10 short years, in pictures

The breakdown of water infrastructure is worsening as South Africa gradually emerges from a prolonged energy crisis, during which the state power utility enforced rolling blackouts lasting up to 12 hours daily.

© 2024 Bloomberg

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