Residents urged to reduce water usage as demand outstrips supply

Residents urged to reduce water usage as demand outstrips supply

1 September 2023 – 14:30

Media Statement

Residents urged to reduce water usage as demand outstrips supply

Johannesburg Water notes with concern the current high water consumption and urges residents to reduce usage. This has been reiterated by bulk supplier, Rand Water who have warned the entity that if consumption is not reduced, extreme measures may have to be instituted.

This coincides with the implementation of the City of Johannesburg’s Level-1 water restrictions, which run from 1 September to 31 March, annually. The restrictions are due to increasing water consumption caused by the warmer weather and lack of rain. However, with South Africa being a water-scarce country, the entity urges residents to use water sparingly.

The City has also noticed unsustainable increase in water demand, this renders Water Conservation and Water Demand Management a strong priority in Johannesburg, to ensure a continuous and sustainable water supply and to avoid putting strain on the City’s water supply systems due to high water demand outstripping supply.

Failure to reduce water consumption, will lead to the implementation of extreme measures to control the excessive increase. We therefore request communities to be ambassadors for accountable water use.

Under level-1 water restrictions, the watering of gardens is prohibited between 6am and 6pm from 1 September to 31 March. Furthermore, residents are not permitted to wash paved areas and driveways using hose pipes.

Now more than ever, it is imperative that we change our habits when it comes to water use. We can all make a difference by introducing one small change a day.

Here are simple water-saving habits to implement into your daily routine:
• Do not leave taps dripping
• Wash your car on the grass with grey water as this will water your lawn at the same time
• Shorten your showering time
• Use a glass of water to rinse when brushing your teeth
• Take shallow baths and avoid filling your bath to a depth greater than 100mm
• Reuse grey water to water your garden or pot plants
• Fix all leaking plumbing features in your house.

Johannesburg Water is committed to providing sustainable water. As such, water restrictions will be enforced by fines to customers who contravene the Water Services By-Law.

Ends

Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.