By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Rand Water has issued a warning regarding the strain on water systems caused by surging water consumption throughout all the Gauteng Metros.
The relentless impact of a persistent heatwave exacerbates the situation.
The urgency of the matter is underscored by Rand Water’s current extraction levels, surpassing its allotted water license and operating at maximum capacity to meet the escalating demand from municipal areas.
Water utility is now issuing a stern caution that if this unbridled consumption persists, the water systems are on a trajectory toward imminent collapse.
Utility spokesperson Makenosi Maroo says the water board has increased its maximum peak water production to 5,200 mega litres per day.
“The impact of heatwave continues to result in high consumption above the set targets in all Gauteng metros. 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.
“The impact of heatwave continues to result in high consumption above the set targets in all Gauteng Metros. In 2023, Rand Water launched Station 5A and increased its maximum peak water production to 5,200 Ml/d per day.”
Rand Water also said it was deeply concerned about the escalating debts caused by the municipalities’ failure to honour their bulk water purchase agreements and debt settlement arrangements with it. Rand Water is a self-funding utility that does not receive government bailouts.
The entity said: “This situation highly destabilises Rand Water’s financial position and poses a direct threat to its medium- and long-term sustainability.”
Rand Water operates without any form of allocation from the national fiscus and relies solely on funds collected from its customers, primarily municipalities,” it stated.
The entity slammed those municipalities that had engaged in “endless and fruitless negotiations when it is clear that they have no intention to pay”.
“Despite our relentless efforts to accommodate this ongoing pattern of nonpayment through bilateral engagements and participation in intergovernmental relations forums, we have regrettably reached a stalemate,” it said.
Maroo said: “We want to enter into an agreement so that [municipalities] commit they will pay Rand Water, even if it means an agreement over a period of time,” she said. “We are really hoping they will come to the party.”
Maroo said if such agreements failed, then the next phase would be to go the legal route.
Meanwhile, several areas in Tshwane were left with dry taps over the weekend.
The city had reported that the fault was on Eskom and Rand Water’s side.
On Sunday, city spokesperson Selby Bokaba said some reservoirs were empty, affecting several areas in Akasia and Soshanguve.
“The following areas in Akasia are affected: Ninapark, Theresapark, Theresaburg, Chantelle, Wolmer, Dorandia and Amandasig.
“The high-lying areas of Soshanguve are also without water as the Soshanguve L Reservoirs are at critical low levels. The system from Rand Water is still struggling and insufficient to start filling the Akasia and Soshanguve L Reservoirs.”