Department of Water and Sanitation minister Pemmy Majodina committed to significantly improve water-levels in Gauteng reservoirs by the end of the week, while encouraging residents to continue to use water sparingly amid current water restrictions, reports Midrand Reporter.

“We have set ourselves a time frame that on Sunday [February 15] we expect that we’ll be standing at 90% in terms of all the reservoirs.”

Majodina was speaking during a media briefing at the Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre in Midrand, where she reviewed water infrastructure and outlined ongoing initiatives to ensure a reliable water supply for the province.

The briefing followed an oversight visit to key water infrastructure sites in Midrand, including the Erand Reservoir, the Johannesburg Grand Central Water Tower, and the President Park Reservoir.

The visit formed part of a coordinated government intervention aimed at restoring a consistent water supply to affected communities.

“We have received a presentation from Rand Water and Johannesburg Water. There has been a slight improvement, and residents are encouraged to continue saving water and report any leaks as we work towards a more reliable water future,” said Majodina.

@caxtonjoburgnorth WATCH: Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina gives an update on Gauteng’s water recovery efforts following an oversight visit to key Midrand reservoirs. Video: Comfort Makhanya #Midrand #Water ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

At a political level, the government has agreed with water entities to implement restrictions, but not full shutdowns. “When you restrict, you don’t shut down,” Majodina explained.

The measures include load shifting and soft locking, strategies designed to redirect water from areas that have remained stable to those experiencing severe shortages. The goal is to raise struggling reservoirs above the critical 40% capacity threshold.

Majodina was joined by Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, COGTA Deputy Minister Dr Dickson Masemola, Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure and COGTA Jacob Mamabolo, Executive Mayor Dada Morero, and senior officials from Rand Water and Johannesburg Water.

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