Mogale City among municipalities facing water supply restrictions
Non-compliant municipalities risk low pressure and supply taps being throttled after ignoring repeated warnings to cut back.
Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) is among several municipalities that continue to overconsume water, placing severe pressure on the water supply system.
Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo said consumption by several municipal customers had reached ‘exceptionally high levels’, putting the system under significant strain.
The municipalities identified alongside Mogale as continuing to overconsume are the City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane, Emfuleni Local Municipality, Rustenburg Local Municipality, Midvaal Local Municipality and Madibeng Local Municipality.
“Rand Water has, on numerous occasions, called on all municipal customers to take immediate steps to reduce water consumption and stabilise the system,” Maroo said.
Despite these appeals, she said the system remains severely constrained.
“To protect the water supply system and ensure equitable distribution, Rand Water will begin restricting supply to municipalities that continue to exceed their allocated consumption volumes,” Maroo said.
She warned that the restrictions may result in low water pressure or intermittent water supply in affected municipalities.
Maroo explained that excessive water consumption places an unfair burden on municipalities that remain within their permitted limits.
“Water must be distributed equitably, and the efforts of customers who reduce their consumption should not be undermined by those who fail to do so,” she said.
According to Maroo, Rand Water has a responsibility to protect the bulk water supply system and will continue engaging municipalities that exceed their permitted consumption limits.
“Water conservation is a shared responsibility,” she said.
“Municipalities, residents and businesses are urged to use water responsibly to ensure a sustainable and equitable supply for all.”
