Reducing Water Disruptions: Testing Municipal Readiness

We have entered the cooler months of May to July, a period with generally reduced water consumption due to lower temperatures. Rand Water has strategically scheduled critical maintenance on its key infrastructure during this period to minimise disruptions and better manage the potential impacts on the water supply. The primary aim of the planned essential maintenance is to increase system capacity and enhance plant availability, reliability and operational efficiency. 

In essence, it is intended to strengthen the resilience and adaptability of Rand Water’s supply network in response to current heightened water supply challenges across the Gauteng Province and in preparation for the anticipated increase in water demand from August, when temperatures start to rise. 

The planned maintenance activities will commence at different times and in different locations across various municipalities. The maintenance period will affect water provision to major metropolitan areas in Gauteng – City of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni – and other municipalities, including Rand West, Mogale City, Merafong, Madibeng, Lesedi, Govan Mbeki, Rustenburg, Royal Bafokeng Administration, Victor Khanye, Thembisile Hani, Midvaal and Emfuleni. The reduction in pumping capacity at the Eikenhof, Palmiet, Mapleton and Zwartkopjes systems during the maintenance period may cause the affected areas to experience low water pressure and/or intermittent supply. 

Affected areas have consequently been advised to prepare for water disruptions – low water pressure and/or no supply – especially during the main maintenance period to commence at 03h00 on 29 May, with completion expected at 17h00 on 2 June. The overall duration of the various scheduled maintenance activities will differ from one area to the next, with some facing 10 – 12 hours and others the longest water disruption lasting 107 hours.

Rand Water officially notified all of its affected municipal customers regarding its annual critical maintenance project within the prescribed 21-day prior notice arrangement. This advanced period should have been used wisely by affected municipalities to inform their customers while planning and implementing necessary contingency measures. Municipalities must ultimately ensure effective management of their storage capacity to mitigate and/or minimise water disruptions to their residents, businesses and institutions.

Consumers who will or are likely to be impacted need to be advised by affected municipalities on the extent and overall impact of the predicted water supply shortages within their areas. Municipalities also have the responsibility of ensuring that suitable contingency measures are in place to ensure that affected consumers are not left high and dry with no alternative water supply. 

The overall mitigation of low water pressure and/or water shortages will depend heavily on effective and efficient planning and management within affected municipalities. Accurate and transparent communication will also be of paramount importance to ensure that consumers are suitably informed.

Furthermore, the predicted water disruptions during the maintenance period are likely to be exacerbated and restoration efforts prolonged, due to existing systemic issues within these municipalities. These include a lack of necessary capacity, skills and resources, slow or delayed responses, as well as continued unplanned and unpredictable water interruptions caused by neglected, compromised and ageing water infrastructure.

Based on past experiences, residents’ trust in their municipalities’ ability to reliably respond and mitigate water supply disruptions and shortages is, like the water supply itself, ranging from minimal to none.

While businesses and institutions are advised to maintain on-site water storage equivalent to at least 36 hours of their daily demand, the reality is that most residents and many businesses cannot afford the necessary infrastructure to buffer against the ongoing water challenges in the province.

Most will consequently be reliant on their respective municipalities’ ability to have planned appropriately and implement contingency measures for both planned and unplanned water shortages. Municipalities will be expected to deploy a sufficient number of water tankers based on accurate calculations of demand to avoid general alarm or fear among affected residents trying to secure water. Municipalities must ensure the timely dissemination of clear and accurate information, both regarding affected areas experiencing low water pressure or shortages and the location of roaming or stationary water tankers.

The extent and impact of water supply shortages during this maintenance period will, however, not solely depend on municipal preparation. A coordinated collective effort is required between Rand Water, affected municipalities and the consumers which they serve.

Rand Water has published a detailed maintenance schedule, including descriptions of planned work, affected systems, planned dates and expected timelines, and the predicted impact on water supply in the affected municipalities. The water utility is also committed to issuing regular updates to keep the public informed of progress.

Consumers must use water as sparingly as possible and implement individual contingency measures within their means. The requirements for safe water storage should also be understood, such as assessing the storage duration, any contamination risks, checking storage conditions, routine maintenance, rotating stored water and disinfecting when necessary. Importantly, they should also be cognizant that the water supply will not immediately resume upon completion of maintenance. The system requires time to recharge and build up sufficient pressure, a process that may take anywhere from a day to a week or more, depending on the system configuration and level of demand.

During this period, we must all act responsibly to reduce pressure on the system, i.e. not fill on-site storage tanks. Above all, municipalities must lead with properly coordinated, proactive efforts to prevent disorganised, delayed, or poorly managed water disruptions or shortages, and to ensure that restoration is not unnecessarily prolonged once Rand Water has completed its work. For this, all hands are required to successfully navigate water supply risks and disruptions.

Prof Anja du Plessis – Associate Professor and Water Management Expert