Joburg water system on the verge of collapse

Johannesburg’s water system is standing on the edge of a cliff, with level one restrictions being imposed on the city’s residents before the summer season begins. 

Water shortages have plagued South Africa’s economic hub for the past few years as its growing population puts more strain on water infrastructure that has not been upgraded in decades. 

Benoit Le Roy, director at Water Ledger South Africa, which provides equipment to help monitor the status of water infrastructure, said things are likely to get worse as summer temperatures rise. 

Le Roy told Newzroom Afrika that water demand in Joburg has not changed over the past few years. What has changed is the city’s reservoirs have not been able to get above 80% capacity during winter. 

Water demand is lower during winter, allowing municipalities to fill their reservoirs in anticipation of higher summer demand. 

However, this has not been the case this year as water infrastructure in Joburg has deteriorated to the point where reservoirs cannot be sufficiently full despite Rand Water pumping at its maximum rate. 

“That means the system is leaking more than previously thought. This also cannot be the result of small surface leaks. These are main lines underground that are leaking,” Le Roy said. 

As temperatures increase into the summer months, demand for water will rise, placing the system under even more pressure. 

“The demand has gone up in recent days, and we are already on the edge. We are at the cliff edge if you like.” 

Things are only likely to get worse, with Rand Water having to cut its delivery of water to Gauteng metros by 10% in the coming months to ensure it remains below its legal limit outlined in its water use licence. 

This means that water shortages will likely persist in Gauteng for the foreseeable future, and Joburg’s major reservoirs are unlikely to reach the level needed for summer. 

“The solution is not a quick one, unfortunately, apart from water shedding. This can be planned or unplanned,” Le Roy explained.  

Joburg Water has already had to shut off numerous reservoirs at night to try to fill them up and maintain the pressure needed to get water to the end user. 

However, Le Roy warned that this could have disastrous consequences as by shutting off reservoirs, air pockets can be created in downstream infrastructure. These pockets can either block the flow of water or burst pipes, exacerbating the problem. 

“Water-shedding cannot work – planned or unplanned – as water systems are designed to be wet and are not designed to be turned on and off.” 

Apart from further damage to water infrastructure, water-shedding could also crush economic activity and result in social unrest. 

Earlier this year, water scientist Dr Anthony Turton warned that Joburg’s water system is starting to self-destruct. 

“Water shortages are part of a new trend where we can see that our infrastructure is not in healthy shape at all, and politicians are only waking up now.”

“In the case of Gauteng, it is a very specific issue because three major metros contain a significant portion of our national manufacturing capacity. They are all at risk from water supply disruptions.”

“Of course, when water supply is disrupted, businesses cannot operate. It means that there will also be an impact on the workforce,” he said. 

“You must appreciate that water is the foundation of your national economy. It is the foundation of social stability.”

“Once your water infrastructure starts collapsing, you start to see things like social instability, the flight of capital out of the country, businesses collapsing, and the loss of jobs.” 

“This is a national crisis. It is an existential threat to the very viability of our national economy.”