Concerns Arise as Rand Water Struggles to Meet Surging Demand for Usage

Rand Water is struggling to keep up with the high water demand in Tshwane, leading to a concerning drop in reservoir levels.

IOL reports that the City of Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Masigo expressed the utility’s unease regarding the mounting water demand, particularly in the Mapleton system, which encompasses the metro. This escalating demand has strained the system’s capacity, causing Rand Water to struggle to maintain its reservoirs at optimal levels.

According to Masigo, primary and secondary water stations operate at maximum capacity, adhering to their abstraction license. However, the critical issue lies in the dwindling levels of the reservoirs, which, in turn, have reduced supply pressure. This resource dip has left high-lying areas with minimal to no access to water.

Also read: Department of Water and Sanitation Initiates Measures to Address Tshwane’s Water Woes

Tshwane primarily relies on Rand Water for 79% of its bulk supply. To ensure the sustainability of this supply, Rand Water has imposed usage limits on all its customers. These limitations stem from the Department of Water and Sanitation’s abstraction license and the constraints associated with available raw water sources.

The decision to restrict water usage is a necessary step to safeguard the integrity of the distribution network. The City is urging residents to utilise water prudently and efficiently. It’s worth noting that previous water restrictions imposed in line with the water supply by-law remained in effect and were never lifted.

This week, the City warned residents in Ga-Rankuwa and Mabopane about a potential disruption in water supply due to Rand Water’s planned upgrade work. This upgrade includes the replacement of bulk water meters serving the Mabopane and Ga-Rankuwa Industrial areas, Kruisfontein, Atteridgeville LL, and the Cornwall Hill reservoirs in Tshwane.

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Picture: Unsplash / Geometric Photography

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