Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has sought to remind citizens about the importance of freshwater and advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
These as some parts of the country continue to experience the provision of water supply.
The minister was speaking during the launch of the National Water Month at the Eikenhof Pump Station, south of Johannesburg.
The station, which is operated by Rand Water, recently underwent major maintenance upgrades, after it experienced some challenges.
“National Water Month is a moment to reflect on water supply challenges, strides we have made together to expand access to water, and the long road that we still need to traverse.
The department and its partners reaffirm their unwavering commitment to addressing the pressing water challenges faced by communities across South Africa,” said Majodina.
The minister said that National Water Month is South Africa’s expansion of World Water Day, which is observed annually on 22 March.
The launch was attended by Majodina’s deputies, David Mahlobo and Sello Seitlholo, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Mayor of the City of Joburg, Dada Morero, and other senior provincial government officials.
According to the minister, the maintenance of the pump station was necessary to correct some of its historical defects and to also increase the flexibility and availability of engine rooms at the pump station.
“Demand for water in Gauteng has grown rapidly, largely due to population growth, and partly due to increasing leaks in municipal distribution systems.
In this context, the demand-supply relationship for treated water in Gauteng is very tight and the system is vulnerable to disruptions caused by heavy load shedding, electro-mechanical breakdowns, or theft of cables,” explained the minister.
Rand Water pump station in Eikenhof supplies Joburg Water which feeds to reservoirs that include Soweto, Roodepoort and Randburg, Commando (Brixton, Crosby and Hursthill), Lenasia and parts of Johannesburg central including Eagles Nest, Crown Gardens, Aeroton and Alan Manor reservoirs.
Majodina said that the situation is exacerbated by high water leakages in municipal water distribution systems, illegal connections, and high average water consumption per capita in Gauteng, which is 60% more than the world average.
She called on all the stakeholders to work together to turn the tide against water challenges and “build a future where every drop counts.”
