VANDERBIJLPARK – Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi joined by Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development MEC Jacob Mamabolo, recently visited the Vaal Dam as the Gauteng Government kicked off its infrastructure assessment programme.
The visit comes ahead of the State of the Province Address in which the premier will outline Gauteng’s priorities for the current term of office.
In a meeting between Lesufi, senior management from the Department of Water and Sanitation, Rand Water and local municipalities in the Vaal, it was discussed that disruptions in water supply will soon be a thing of the past.
Lesufi said the objective of the meeting was to address water security to every household in the province.
Addressing the continued water disruptions plaguing the community, Rand Water attributed the disruptions to a need for maintenance, apologising to Gauteng residents for the inconvenience.
The water utility highlighted that water disruptions for a few days to maintain infrastructure far outweigh a lack of water for prolonged periods.
The water utility further stated that the demand for treated water far exceeds the available supply.
Director General from the Department of Water and Sanitation Dr. Sean Phillips said that on average, Gauteng’s consumption per capita must be reduced from 279 litres per day to 173 litres per day, closer to the world average.
The department revealed that the demand and supply ratio for treated water in Gauteng is very tight, adding that the system is vulnerable to disruptions caused by heavy load shedding, electro-mechanical breakdowns, cable theft and intensive maintenance.
Lesufi said it is important to table solutions that will prevent people from carrying buckets endlessly to get fresh water.
“We believe that a reliable water supply is non-negotiable and must be protected.”
Lesufi further said that the water supply issue featured high on the provincial government’s two-day lekgotla agenda.
“We want to coordinate this process by using the lessons we have learned from the energy crisis to avoid a similar disaster in our province.”
Lesufi committed to working with the water utility towards dispute resolution and ensuring the province is water secure.
The Chair of Rand Water Ramateu Monyokolo reassured Gauteng residents that the water supply will not be affected during the closure of the Lesotho Highlands tunnel for maintenance, which is expected to commence in October until March 2025.
Monyokolo assured the public and stakeholders that the department has taken all the necessary measures to ensure that the supply of water will not be affected.
