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Water Crisis
The latest news about water shortages in various parts of South Africa posing a threat to people’s lives and livelihoods.
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Ethiopia’s grand renaissance dam a game changer in Nile Basin hydropolitics and water security
Water scarcity in Africa is a crisis, and the Gerd saga shows why mutually beneficial cooperation agreements are vital.
Desperation fuels unity as Claremont residents rally in 12-year fight for water
On a short stretch of Antoinette Street in Claremont, the taps are permanently open as residents wait for a stream of water to come out. They have had no regular municipal water for more than 12 years. There are children who don’t know what it is to open a tap to draw a glass of water. There is always a sentry waiting for a water truck to come their way, but often it does not for days. This is their story.
Pipeline to disaster — how Joburg’s water supply crisis began 25 years ago
The Municipal Systems Act of 2000 was followed by the commodification of essential services. Together with mismanagement and a lack of investment in infrastructure, it has led us to where we are.
Residents from Johannesburg’s Ground Zero of failure protest at council meeting
In Brixton, Mayfair and Vrededorp, water cuts are so routine they barely register. Streetlights lie in scrapyards, while water from tankers never reaches the elderly. Residents pay top rates but get serial failure in return.
Dada’s mayoral muck-up
Amid Joburg’s ongoing water crisis, Mayor Dada Morero is facing mounting anger from civil society and Parliament after admitting that R4bn meant for Johannesburg Water
Diversion of R4bn intended for Joburg Water sparks outrage and calls for mayor’s resignation
Amid Joburg’s ongoing water crisis, Mayor Dada Morero is facing mounting anger from civil society and Parliament after admitting that R4bn meant for Johannesburg Water was diverted to other municipal expenses.
Gauteng parents speak out on frequent school closures as water outages disrupt learning
Gauteng’s water crisis has worsened dramatically, forcing learners like 11-year-old Sandisiwe to carry their own water to school. With taps running dry and sanitation failing, schools are struggling to provide a safe, healthy environment, disrupting education and essential nutrition programmes. Activists and parents warn that the crisis is deepening educational inequalities, with teachers strained and learners losing vital learning time.
Joburg mother and daughter eat cooked mulberry leaves to stave off starvation
Following sharp cost-of-living increases in recent years, a mother and her daughter in Waterworks, Johannesburg, sometimes resort to eating cooked leaves from their mulberry tree.
‘Scarily predictable’ — Joburg water crisis reaches boiling point as tyres burn and rubber bullets fly
Residents in the Johannesburg suburbs of Coronationville and Westbury have endured years of unreliable water supply. This week, protests escalated into road blockades and police stand-offs, leaving people injured and communities demanding answers from city officials.
To report a leak contact your ward councillor or report the leak to Joburg Water:
- Online: jwfaultlogging.jwater.co.za.
- Call Centre: 011 688 1699 / 086 0562874. SMS: 45201.
- Email: [email protected] or [email protected].
- And tell Daily Maverick about it below:
To report a leak contact your ward councillor or report the leak to Joburg Water:
- Online: jwfaultlogging.jwater.co.za.
- Call Centre: 011 688 1699 / 086 0562874. SMS: 45201.
- Email: [email protected] or [email protected].
- And tell Daily Maverick about it below:
Johannesburg residents and businesses, weary of persistent water cuts and infrastructure woes, have increasingly turned to boreholes as a solution. But before you drill, it’s crucial to understand the regulations governing borehole use.
By Julia Evans
Mauritz Swart, a buyer for water products at Builders, says instead of waiting for the situation to turn dire, you can be proactive. He had the following advice to help you in the event of a water outage:
🌧️ A rainwater harvesting system
A rainwater harvesting system is an effective way to conserve water and secure a reliable back-up supply. This is where a JoJo tank hooked up to your gutter to collect rainwater can come in handy. “Rain water can be used to water gardens, for toilet flushing, and cleaning,” he says.
🛢️ Back-up tank
Another option is a back-up tank, which you can fill with municipal water when it is available. However, Swart warns that stretching the water you have stored in your tanks to see you through a water outage, planned or otherwise, can be challenging. “Once back-up tanks are full, rationing the water available is very important,” he advises.
⏲ A water tank gauge
A water tank gauge can help you monitor rainwater levels and water usage. There are a range of water tank gauges that provide real-time information on your tank’s capacity, allowing you to track your water usage and plan accordingly.
💧 Find and fix leaks on your property
Some leaks may be invisible to the eye, but have very real financial consequences. One signal to watch out for is a damp smell that could be due to pooling water.
🫗 Reduce water pressure
You can do this by turning the stopcock lower and/or installing a flow restrictor on the main pipe connection from the water meter. Swart says estimates suggest that reducing water pressure by 10 psi (pounds per square inch) can save about 1-2% of water usage, which translate to substantial savings over time, particularly in large households or commercial settings.
🚿 Fit flow restrictors (FFR)
Also known as aerators, these devices are used in faucets and shower heads to control the flow of water. For indoor taps, FFRs help reduce the flow rate to less than six litres per minute, making them an effective tool in water conservation efforts, particularly in regions facing water scarcity challenges.
♨️ Install instant water heating solutions
Use energy efficient water heating solutions such as heat pumps or point of use water heaters. This means you only heat the water that you need to use, rather than heating 150 to 200 litres in a typical geyser. You can also look forward to less water running out the tap while you wait for it to get hot.
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