Boksburg:Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, Dr Jack Bloom, announced that Gauteng could save billions of rands by reducing water losses, as part of a new national framework targeting a reduction in non-revenue water (NRW) to below 25% by 2035.
According to South African Government News Agency, Gauteng currently loses or fails to account for about 48% of its water. Dr Bloom stressed the necessity for immediate actions to address issues like leaking infrastructure, inaccurate billing, and water theft during a workshop in Boksburg. He highlighted that physical water losses alone, through burst and leaking pipes, amount to approximately 431 billion litres annually, equating to a financial loss of around R7 billion at Rand Water rates, potentially doubling at municipal rates.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that many residents suffer from unreliable water supply, while others rely on water tankers or face interruptions despite visible leaks in their streets. He noted the variance in water losses across the region, with Johannesburg recording NRW at about 49%, Tshwane at 45%, and Ekurhuleni at 30%. The highest losses are in Emfuleni and Mogale, exceeding 70% and 60% respectively.
The updated Strategic Framework, replacing the 2003 version, aims to improve access to reliable and clean water. It incorporates climate risk assessments and supports the use of smart technology and transparent reporting. The framework also necessitates planning for informal settlements and requires municipalities to ensure that water revenue is ring-fenced and lifecycle costing is mandatory.
Key targets for 2035 include reducing national NRW to below 25%, ensuring 80% of urban households have smart meters by 2032, and achieving 100% compliance with potable-water standards. Investments in infrastructure are expected to reach at least 0.75% of GDP, with a focus on renewing aging assets and providing adequate water and sanitation in schools and clinics.
Dr Bloom highlighted the urgency for Gauteng to halve its water losses to meet the national target, urging municipalities to act swiftly. The framework and ongoing workshops aim to bridge the gap between policy and the delivery of reliable water and sanitation services.