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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is deeply concerned about the ongoing water supply crisis affecting parts of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni. A system status report published by Joburg Water on 11 February 2025 shows critical reservoir levels across multiple regions.

The current crisis, exacerbated by power failures at Rand Water's Forest Hill and Eikenhof systems, represents a catastrophic failure in basic service delivery. Numerous areas are experiencing complete water outages or severely reduced pressure, with several major reservoirs showing critically low levels.

"The constant blame-shifting between Rand Water, Eskom, and City Power must end. What residents need is decisive action and proper contingency planning," says Nico de Jager MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Infrastructure Development. "Under a DA government, we would implement three essential initiatives: first, we would establish independent power suppliers at all major pump stations using solar and battery systems. Second, upgrade the ageing infrastructure by incorporating smart pressure management systems. Lastly, create a rapid response maintenance unit specifically trained to handle water infrastructure emergencies," adds De Jager.

The Gauteng DA urges the Minister for Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson to consider including Gauteng municipalities in his infrastructure support programme. Municipalities and entities with proven track records of clean audits should be prioritised for additional funding to address these critical water infrastructure challenges. This approach would ensure effective use of taxpayer money while addressing urgent service delivery needs

The DA notes with particular concern that Joburg Water has been implementing water supply reductions since November 2024, yet the situation continues to deteriorate. The current crisis affects multiple systems, including Commando, Central and Soweto, and Deep South, impacting countless households and businesses.

We call on the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) to declare this an emergency and implement immediate measures to protect this basic human right. The situation demands more than crisis management, it requires a complete overhaul of how our water infrastructure is managed and maintained.

Issued by Nico de Jager MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Infrastructure