Water shortages plague the largest city in South Africa
Like many major global cities, Johannesburg faces the challenges of deteriorating essential services, governance issues, and inadequate urban development to accommodate its growing population.
When Duane Riley turns on his taps, they make a loud shuddering noise due to air in the pipes. Unfortunately, there is often no water flowing at all.
Ironically, Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa, currently has an abundance of water. However, authorities and water companies are struggling to distribute it effectively to those who need it.
Riley shared with CNN that there have been instances when his driveway was flooded due to a leak at the top of his street, causing water scarcity in his home. It took authorities two weeks to repair the leak.
Residents of Johannesburg, known as Joburgers, are familiar with water shortages. South Africa's dry climate, exacerbated by the climate crisis, has led to frequent crippling droughts.
Johannesburg is facing challenges due to deteriorating critical infrastructure, poor maintenance, corruption, and inadequate planning for population growth.
Authorities mention that although there is no shortage of water in the city's reservoirs currently, a prolonged heat wave caused by climate change is increasing the demand for water significantly. In February, Southern Africa experienced temperatures that were 4 to 5 degrees Celsius above the usual average.
At around 9 p.m., Riley’s home typically loses water until around six in the morning.
People fill buckets with water from a water tanker truck in the Azcapotzalco neighborhood, as tensions over water scarcity in Mexico City, one of Latin America's largest capitals, are boiling over as residents in some neighborhoods protest weeks-long dry spells in their homes, in Mexico City, Mexico January 26, 2024. REUTERS/Henry Romero
In the Azcapotzalco neighborhood of Mexico City, residents are facing water scarcity issues. To address this, people are filling buckets with water from a water tanker truck. Tensions are rising as some neighborhoods are experiencing weeks-long dry spells in their homes. The situation has led to protests by residents. This is happening in Mexico City, which is one of Latin America's largest capitals. The photo was taken on January 26, 2024, by Henry Romero for Reuters.
Related article
One of the world’s biggest cities may be just months away from running out of water
He mentioned that there have been occasions when the community went without water for up to a week.
This issue is affecting various areas of the city, including the affluent northern suburbs and sections of the largest township, Soweto. Residents in these areas have had to resort to gathering water in buckets from any available source.
Authorities are attributing the recent shortages to a lightning strike on a pumping station and the heat wave. However, locals are not convinced by these explanations.
"The heat wave has been a challenge for the past two weeks, but we've been facing this issue long before that," according to Riley, a resident of Kensington, a hilly suburb east of the city. He mentioned that the struggle has been ongoing for about a year.
Riley added, "They are simply grasping at straws to save face, using any excuse they can find to avoid addressing the main problem." He emphasized that the main issue is maintenance.
Riley took the initiative to organize two protests in response to the inadequate provision of essential services like water and electricity in his community, drawing crowds of hundreds of people.
In a similar vein, Ravin Singh established the Water Crisis Committee last September when his neighborhood in the northeast of downtown Johannesburg experienced prolonged outages.
He’s had periods of more than a week without water. “The current situation is that we have water for parts of the day,” he said.
Residents hold placards during a protest against water shortages in the Blairgowrie area of Johannesburg on March 12, 2024.
Residents hold placards during a protest against water shortages in the Blairgowrie area of Johannesburg on March 12, 2024.
Wikus de Wet/AFP/Getty Images
For some people, getting water is a challenge as it often comes at a trickle, with low to no pressure at all, according to Singh.
"Young families can manage, but it affects their work and daily life. They have to adjust when they shower, cook, and do other activities," he explained. "However, it's much harder for people living in old-age homes, for example."
Singh has only seen a water tanker providing emergency supplies in his area three times in the past seven or eight months since the problems began. This makes it difficult for the elderly residents to walk and carry water back home.
Government minister for Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, called on the City of Johannesburg to improve its response time to pipe bursts and leaks. He emphasized the need to address high physical water losses in the city. Mchunu stated that serious interventions and funding are necessary to tackle the water infrastructure renewal program.
Johannesburg Water mentioned in a statement that they have been steadily improving and stabilizing their systems after facing issues over the past couple of weeks. They are urging residents and businesses to reduce water consumption by 10% by fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, and using rainwater for outdoor activities.
CNN'S Kristie Lu Stout reports on how India's "Silicon Valley" is running out of water, causing a daily struggle for its residents.
CNN'S Kristie Lu Stout reports on how India's "Silicon Valley" is running out of water, causing a daily struggle for its residents.
Clipped From Video
video
Related video
Bengaluru is facing a serious water crisis. The local supplier, Rand Water, has issued a message urging residents to take action. On March 18, Rand Water stated that the metro areas of Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg need to reduce their water usage to prevent disruptions in the water supply.
Johannesburg’s reservoirs have long struggled with fluctuating levels, affected by natural events and high consumption. In September last year, authorities warned the city’s reservoirs and water towers were “critically low to empty” following a thunderstorm that caused a power failure at a treatment plant.
Because many reservoirs are powered by electric pumps, high levels of scheduled power outages, or “load shedding” as it’s known in South Africa, have also cause low water levels at reservoirs. Now Joburgers also talk about “water shedding.”
Singh acknowledges that individuals have the potential to reduce their water usage on their own.
He emphasizes the significance of raising awareness about living in a country with limited water resources. Singh stresses the importance of reducing water consumption.
If behaviors do not change, and maintenance and modernization of the water system are not taken seriously, Johannesburg could find itself in an even bleaker situation.
It doesn’t need to look far to see what that future could be: Only two years ago, the South African city of Cape Town was counting down to “Day Zero,” the day all taps would run dry. It averted that crisis. Now Joburgers are wondering if their city can do the same.
Editor's P/S:
The water shortage crisis in Johannesburg highlights the consequences of inadequate infrastructure, poor maintenance, and insufficient planning. Despite having ample water reserves, the city's residents face inconsistent water supply and frequent outages. The situation is exacerbated by climate change, increased water demand, and aging infrastructure. The lack of water not only affects daily life but also poses health risks and hinders economic development.
Moreover, the inequitable distribution of water resources is evident, with affluent suburbs and townships experiencing vastly different levels of access. The marginalized communities often rely on unreliable tanker deliveries, while wealthier areas enjoy a more stable supply. This disparity underscores the need for equitable and sustainable water management policies that prioritize the needs of all citizens. frequent power outages have disrupted water pumping. If water conservation efforts are not prioritized and infrastructure investments are not made, Johannesburg could face a severe water shortage in the future. The article serves as a warning that cities need to take proactive measures to ensure access to clean water for their residents, especially in the face of growing populations and the impacts of climate change.
