Dry taps ahead if high water consumption don’t stop – metro

In the next month or two, residents in Tshwane may face empty taps if they do not reduce their current water consumption patterns.

The metro has warned that its bulk water distribution system is under severe strain and could collapse if consumers do not drastically cut back.

Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the existential problem is not with the city’s water network itself, but with the behaviour of residents and businesses.

“Consumers continue to ignore the city’s call to use water sparingly. If this trend does not change, our system may run dry,” Mashigo cautioned.

According to Mashigo, Rand Water is currently pumping 926 million litres of water per day to Tshwane, far above the permitted 662 million litres per day.

He explained that this figure, recorded on September 8, reflects an excess of about 22% above the city’s limit, putting the entire system at risk.

“Sixteen reservoirs were already flagged for excessively high water consumption. By September 18, that number had increased to 20, with more areas now recording demand that outpaces available supply.

“It is disheartening to note that residents’ behaviour has not changed, despite repeated requests,” said Mashigo.

He stated that the following reservoirs are the highest consuming, including the areas they supply:

These areas are putting strain on the following reservoirs:

Bakenkop Reservoir: Brakfontein 399-JR, Celtisdal (all extensions), Clubview (all extensions), Cranbrookvale, Eldoraigne (all extensions), Hennops Park (all extensions), Lyttelton 381-JR, Lyttelton AH, Raslouw AH, Rooihuiskraal North (all extensions), Swartkop 383-JR, Tamara Park, Villarosa, Wierda Park and Zwartkop 356-JR.

Brakfontein Reservoir: Brakfontein 390-JR, Bronberrik, Clubview Ext 78, Cranbrookvale, Eldoraigne (all extensions), Hennops Park (all extensions), Lyttelton 381-JR, Simarlo AH, Verwoerdburgstad and Zwartkop (all extensions).

Erasmia Reservoir: Christoburg, Erasmia (all extensions), Erasmia 350-JR, Hoekplaats 384-JR, Lekkerhoekie 411-JR and 450-JR, Mooiplaats 355-JR and Sunderland Ridge (all extensions).

Constantia Park Reservoir: Constantia Park; Erasmusrand; Garsfontein 374-Jr; Moreleta Park; Moreleta Park Ext 1, 2 and 15; Newlands; Waterkloof 378-Jr; Waterkloof Glen, Waterkloof Glen Ext 1 and 4; Waterkloof Heights Ext 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 14 and 18; Waterkloof Ridge; Waterkloof Park; Waterkloof Park Ext 2; Waterkloof Ext 1; Constantia Park Ext 0, 2 and 3; Erasmuskloof; Erasmuskloof Ext 3 and 4; and Newlands Ext 2.

Ga-Rankuwa East, Ga-Rankuwa West and Ga-Rankuwa Industrial Reservoirs: Ga-Rankuwa (all units), Medunsa 237-JR, Sjambok Zijn oude kraal 258-JR, Kafferskraal 308-JR, Ga-Rankuwa view, Kameelfontein 257-JR, Syferfontein 430-JQ, Krelingspost 425-JQ, Uitvalgrond 434-JQ, De Wildt AH, Ga-Rankuwa Z1, Rama 768-JR and Ga-Rankuwa Industrial.

Kruisfontein Reservoir: Soshanguve South (all extensions); Soshanguve Blocks A, B, TT, VV and XX; Wentzelrust 223-JR; Soshanguve East; Kruisfontein 262-JR, Kruisfontein 259-JR and Klip-kruisfontein 708-JR/

Lotus Gardens Reservoir: Fort 646-JR, Fort West (all extensions), Lotus Gardens (all extensions), Pretoria Town and Townlands 351-JR

Soshanguve DD Reservoir areas: Bultfontein 107-JR, Klippan 102-JR, Mabopane Unit CV, New Eersterus (all extensions), Soshanguve (all extensions), Sterkwater 106-JR, Stinkwater, Zoutpan 104-JR and Winterveldt Ext 4.

Areas serviced by the Soshanguve L Reservoir: De Beers, Kopanong (all extensions), Kruisfontein 359-JR and 262-JR, Onderstepoort 266-JR, Onderstepoort (all extensions), Rietgat 611-JR and Wentzelrust 223-JR, Mabopane S and The Farm 670-JR.

Rooihuiskraal Reservoir: Brakfontein 390-JR, 399-JR and 419-JR, Celtisdal (all extensions), Hennops Park (all extensions), Heuweloord (all extensions), Kosmosdal (all extensions), Monavoni AH, Olievenhoutbosch, Rooihuiskraal (all extensions), Rooihuiskraal North (all extensions), The Reeds (all extensions) and Wierda Park (all extensions).

Magalieskruin Reservoir: Hartebeestfontein 324-JR and Wonderboom.

Montana Reservoir areas contributing to the high demand: Annlin, Christiaanville, Cynthia Vale, Derdepoort Park, Doornpoort, Kenley AH, Kozeni AH, Magalieskruin, Montana (all extensions), Montana AH, Montana Park, Montana Tuine, Pumulani AH, Sinoville and Wolmaranspoort AH.

Sinoville HL and Sinoville LL Reservoirs: Sinoville (all extensions)

Carina Reservoir: Alphen Park; Erasmusrand; Garstfontein 374-JR; Groenkloof 358-JR; Monument Park; Sterrewag; Waterkloof; Waterkloof 376-JR; Waterkloof Ridge; Waterkloof Park; Monument Park Ext 1; Waterkloof Heights Ext 1, 2, 3 and 4; Waterkloof Ridge Ext 1, 2, 5 and 6; and Waterkloof Ext 1,2 and 3.

Mabopane Main, Mabopane Central and Mabopane Reservoirs are affected by the following areas: Klippan 102-JR, Mabopane (all extensions), Rietgat 105-JR, Soshanguve – NN, Tswaing 149-JR, Winterveldt (all extensions), Winterveldt AH Ext 1 and 3, Mabopane 702-JR, and Nooitgedacht 256-JR.

Mashigo said residents are urged to remember that Level 1 water restrictions, imposed under the Water Supply By-laws, remain in place.

“If residents continue to disregard these restrictions, the city will be forced to escalate measures to Level 2 or higher,” Mashigo warned.

He said such a step would have financial consequences, as stricter restrictions carry higher tariffs.

“Punitive measures will also be imposed on transgressors.”

Mashigo urged households and businesses to make a concerted effort to reduce usage.

Consumers are urged to follow specific water restrictions, such as not watering gardens with a hosepipe or sprinkler system between 06:00 and 18:00, or using a hosepipe to clean driveways or patios or wash vehicles.

Residents may also not fill or top up swimming pools or water features.

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.