Gauteng’s Water Crisis: What Leaders Are Doing

The Problem

Gauteng’s water system is under serious strain. Officials told the SA Human Rights Commission that old pipes, illegal connections, vandalism, leaks and a growing population are all making it harder to keep taps flowing. Many communities, especially informal settlements, still rely on water tankers because regular supply is unreliable.

Johannesburg’s Turn‑Around Plan

City Manager Dr Floyd Brink said Johannesburg is working on a turnaround strategy to rebuild trust and improve service delivery. Water, sanitation, electricity and waste management remain top budget priorities.

Investments and Tanker Use

The metro has already spent about R650 million on water‑related projects. Johannesburg Water’s Managing Director, Ntshavheni Mukwevho, revealed that the utility spends nearly R130 million each year on water tankers that serve informal settlements and emergency outages. About 90 % of those tanker trips go to areas where residents struggle to get steady water.

Looking Beyond Tankers

Mukwevho admitted that tankers are not a sustainable fix. The utility is exploring alternatives such as drilling boreholes in informal settlements to reduce dependence on emergency supplies. Johannesburg Water has also bought 20 tankers and ordered another 20, aiming to bring the service fully in‑house within the next 12‑18 months.

Mogale City’s Approach

Mogale City Local Municipality has taken a different route. Municipal Manager Makhosana Msezana said the council has fully insourced its water‑tanker fleet and will use its own trucks to supply water during Rand Water’s maintenance periods. The municipality has also set aside funds for chemicals to clean polluted rivers and is drafting a water‑demand‑management plan to cut losses and tackle infrastructure backlogs.

Rand Water’s Role and Debt Issue

Rand Water CEO Sipho Mosai explained that the utility works closely with municipalities to limit the impact of scheduled maintenance. Cities receive at least 21 days’ notice so they can plan contingencies and inform residents. However, high‑lying areas may take longer to recover even after maintenance finishes on schedule.

Mosai also highlighted a worrying financial picture: municipalities collectively owe Rand Water roughly R9 billion, with Emfuleni Municipality alone accounting for about R1.9 billion of that debt.

Mayor’s Promise

During the State of the City Address, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero pledged that the city’s service‑delivery challenges would be tackled head‑on. He emphasized that improving water access is a key part of restoring confidence among residents.

Conclusion

Gauteng’s water woes are complex, but leaders are laying out concrete steps: upgrading infrastructure, reducing reliance on tankers, exploring boreholes, improving communication during maintenance, and addressing massive municipal debts. If these plans are followed through, teens and families across the province could soon see more reliable taps and fewer dry‑day surprises.