JOBURGCAN MANAGER, JULIA FISH ON LOOMING GAUTENG WATERSHORTAGES

By Ml Luqman Skink, INX Prime News and Current Affairs editor

Bulk water utility, Rand Water has sounded the alarm over possible water supply shortages to municipalities across the economic hub of Gauteng. Rand Water is urging cities and towns in the province to begin urgent water-saving measures and manage demand as the hot summer season kicks off.

The announcement was made as level 1 water restrictions are currently being implemented in both the Johannesburg and Tshwane metros. JoburgCAN manager, Julia Fish spoke to INX Prime on the community action network about the seriousness of this warning.

’A Genuine Concern but Nothing New’

Fish pointed out that while the water shortage is a genuine concern, it is not a new issue, but a seasonal reality we go through every year around Spring and Summer. She said not nearly enough money is spent by municipalities on maintenance of the ailing infrastructure, with the continued delay of the Lesotho Highlands water project adding to the problem.

"This would have made things a bit better as the root cause of the strain to the system now is the years of inaction by councils in taking care of the maintenance."

Irresponsible Statement by Rand Water

Fish said the Rand Water statement has only served to put people in panic, but more seriously, it was a sign of the breakdown of the relationship between Joburg Water and Rand Water.

"Day Zero is probable, especially given the challenges of climate change. We have been talking about this for years. Johannesburg does not have any water surrounding it. This statement is irresponsible and has caused a lot of panic."

With Whom Does the Water Buck Stop?

The reality is that while many of Joburg’s residents are still battling for reservoirs that supply them to be repaired following damage done to their systems by loadshedding.

"All spheres of government have a role to play, but according to policy local government is most responsible. But they don’t have enough resources. But this does not exclude civil society. We are all responsible for ensuring the security of our water supply."

Do Water Restrictions Work?

Fish believes that while restrictions are a start, there needs to be a way to enforce them and also to monitor compliance. She believed that there could be multiple instances where people have not been very compliant.

"There needs to be a way to name and shame excessive users and a way to manage the consumption of large users."

However, she believed that many cash-strapped households may see the fines charged for going over the limit as a deterrent.

Finding Solutions to the Crisis

Fish said the time has come for South Africans to embrace the fact that water is a scarce resource, and we must all be on the frontline of its preservation and protection.

She said a lot of the communication from government agencies is for people to save water but explained that some people might find it difficult to listen when they see a burst water pipe that sometimes takes days before it is repaired.

But unless we understand that we all have a role to play, the blame game will not take us closer to finding solutions that work.