As the City of Johannesburg, the rest of the country and the world observes World Water Day on 22 March, Johannesburg Water reminds residents to keep saving on their water usage.
Residents are also reminded that level-1 water restrictions are still in place and should be adhered to at all times.
South Africa is rated amongst the top 50 driest counties in the world and in Gauteng, rainfall has halved since the start of the year as we approach winter.
Johannesburg Water continues to urge residents to look at their water consumption levels. Even though consumption did decrease slightly from 285 litres per person per day in 2017/18 to 284 in 2018/19, to stay on the decreasing trends we need all residents to do their bit.
This will help ensure that Johannesburg Water is able to provide a sustainable service to all residents, despite us living in a water scarce environment.
To ensure as much water as possible is saved, the entity is currently embarking on a pipe replacement programme that will significantly reduce the number of bursts per 100m of pipeline. Also, from 15 February 2019 the First Line Response Team became operational. These are teams operating at a regional level to isolate bursts of water and sewer lines as and when they happen to reduce wastage of water.
Johannesburg Water will also embark on a number of campaigns across the City’s seven regions to celebrate National Water week by conducting public education outreach programmes with the aim of informing residents about water conservation, sanitation usage, bylaw enforcement, paying for services and binge informed on how to reduce their monthly water bills.
Reducing the volume of water per toilet flush alone can save a household up to 20% of their total water consumption per year. A leaking toilet can waste up to 100 000 litres of water in one year.
The programme will be held under the theme Leaving no one behind; water for all and is set to bring to the fore government’s obligation to ensure that all citizens have access to clean water.
The City of has no alternative sources of water and the risk of demand outstripping supply in the intervening period, between now and the commissioning of Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Project (2026) remains a real threat.
Residents are reminded that the level-1 water restrictions are enforceable with penalties by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD).
Residents are urged to incorporate the following water-saving tips into their daily routines:
• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily;
• Dispose of tissues, insects and other waste in the trash and not the toilet;
• Use grey water, used water from baths, washing machines and other safe sources to, flush your toilet;
• Do not over-refill or excessively backwash your swimming pool;
• Use a bucket rather than a hose to wash your car. If you have to use a hose, use a sprayer that can be turned on and off in-between spraying the car. Using a garden hose could use as much as 30 litres of water per minute;
• Do not pour paint or any chemicals down the drain;
• Farmers must ensure that they keep toxic insecticides away from water sources and streams; and,
• Factories should take care of how they discharge mercury and other heavy metals into wastewater.
For media inquiries
Cllr Nico De Jager
MMC: Environment and Infrastructure Services Department.
083 899 2127
