Rand Water has expressed ongoing concerns about high water consumption in Gauteng, especially in Johannesburg and Tshwane. The utility warns that exceeding allocated volumes is straining the supply network. It plans to reduce supplies to high-consuming municipalities to stabilize the system.
Rand Water, the primary water utility serving Gauteng, continues to monitor what it describes as persistently high water consumption levels across the province. This issue is most acute in the City of Johannesburg and Tshwane, where usage has surpassed the agreed-upon limits. Such overconsumption is placing considerable pressure on the infrastructure, leading to operational challenges throughout the bulk supply network.
Spokesperson Makenosi Maroo highlighted the severity of the situation in a recent statement. "Currently, demand is forcing the system to operate under pressure stretching infrastructure capacity to accommodate abnormally high usage levels," she said. Maroo added that the high demand has already disrupted water supplies in various parts of the service area. To address this, Rand Water has engaged with the implicated municipalities and intends to implement reductions in water delivery to those areas. The goal is to restore balance and ensure stability across the entire system.
This development comes amid broader efforts to promote water conservation in South Africa, where water scarcity remains a critical concern. The announcement was made on February 7, 2026, via an official media statement and social media post by Rand Water. While specific timelines for the supply reductions were not detailed, the move underscores the urgency of managing demand to prevent further outages.