City partially lifts water restrictions
South Africa remains a water scarce country and the City of Joburg remains a net importer of water.
The City of Joburg welcomes the decision by the Department of Water and Sanitation to lift water restrictions in Gauteng municipalities.
However, in an effort to maintain a culture of water conservation, the city has only partially lift Level-2 water restrictions, according to section 44 (3) of the Water Services by-law:
- On an annual basis, between 6:00 and 18:00 from September 1 to March 31, and between 8:00 and 16:00 from April 1 to August 31, all consumers are prohibited from watering and irrigating their gardens.
- All consumers are prohibited from using a hosepipe to clean paved areas and driveways with municipal water.
The JMPD has issued a total of 665 fines to consumers who contravened the Water Services by-law and consumers are urged to report non-compliance by phoning the JMPD 24/7 hotline on 011 758 9650.
The current water footprint for the City of Joburg is 309 litres per capita per day, compared to the national and world averages of 274 litres and 175 litres, respectively. At the height of the restrictions, the demand reduced to 289 litres per capita per day.
Residents are urged to keep on using grey water for watering gardens and flushing toilets, to report leaks and bursts and install water saving devices, and Joburg Water will continue to educate stakeholders about water conservation, to disseminate information and respond to feedback.
As per the Government Gazette Notice No. 910 of Monday, March 13, the Director-General of the Department of Water and Sanitation withdrew the water restrictions within the Integrated Vaal River System.
However, South Africa remains a water scarce country and the City of Joburg remains a net importer of water.
Residents are, therefore, urged to maintain vigilance in conserving this scarce resource.
The risk of demand outstripping supply in the intervening period between now and the commissioning of Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Project (2025) remains a real threat.
According to the 2009 Phase II feasibility report, the full yield is expected to be utilised by approximately 2030.
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