The Gauteng Provincial Government has established an Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Water Operations Centre to co-ordinate responses aimed at stabilising water supply across the province, the South African Government News Agency (SAGNA) reports.

The Water IGR Operations Centre brings together national government departments, Rand Water, metropolitan and local municipalities, and key provincial entities.

Its purpose is to strengthen co-ordination, enable real-time monitoring of water systems, improve joint decision-making, and provide a single source of verified information on the state of the provincial water network.

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“As a province, we believe that we can tackle the challenges facing our people through co-operation and collaboration, and not through finger-pointing,” said Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, on Tuesday.

He added, “We have enough water to supply our residents; what we are focusing on now is addressing the challenges that cause interruptions to supply. It is therefore incorrect to suggest there will be a day zero in Gauteng.”

The Operations Centre was activated on Monday at the Provincial Disaster Management Centre in Midrand, following a high-level IGR meeting convened by Mamabolo.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has tasked Mamabolo with ensuring a speedy resolution to the province’s water challenges, prioritising service restoration, and urgently working with all spheres of government through the IGR platform.

“While early signs of recovery have been observed in parts of the system, supported by pressure management, reservoir throttling, and strategic load-shifting, the province remains aware of the structural challenges facing Gauteng’s water network,” the provincial government said.

Storage levels continue to be under pressure, with high consumption, ageing infrastructure, non-revenue water, and rapid population growth placing additional strain on the system.

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Immediate interventions under the Water IGR are being fast-tracked. These include leak detection and repair, reservoir refurbishment, operational support to municipalities, and strengthening early-warning and communication systems.

Parallel work is also underway to assist municipalities in developing credible funding proposals to unlock medium- and long-term investment in critical water infrastructure.

The Gauteng Provincial Government emphasised its commitment to working with all three spheres of government, the water sector, and communities to ensure secure, reliable, and sustainable water provision for the people of the province.