Parliament sounds alarm over Gauteng’s escalating water crisis

Staff Reporter

The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation has raised concerns over the mounting water challenges in Gauteng, attributing much of the crisis to the failure of municipalities in fulfilling their roles in water conservation and payment for bulk services. 

The committee held an urgent meeting on Tuesday with Rand Water and the Department of Water and Sanitation to address these issues.

“Municipalities are simply not playing their part in ensuring an effective water system from source to tap. It’s unacceptable that Rand Water has to shoulder the consequences of municipal failures,” said committee chairperson, Leon Basson.

A major issue identified by the committee was the significant loss of water within the municipal systems. 

The No Drop Report estimates that 49.2% of Gauteng’s treated water is classified as non-revenue water — meaning nearly half of the province’s water is lost through leaks and illegal connections.

Basson said that a