Gauteng has been no stranger to water cuts in recent months, and the frustration is palpable. What is causing this? It is not drought, it is poor maintenance and ageing infrastructure (Odendaal, 2024). I cannot help but think of the cost of inaction. Every burst pipe or delayed repair adds to the economic burden, with knock-on effects for households, businesses, and public health. Gauteng has been grappling with more frequent and widespread water shortages, leaving numerous suburbs and communities without water for extended periods, sometimes lasting days or even weeks. The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, has described the situation as a crisis of the province’s own making, attributing the problem to municipalities’ failure to address leaking pipes, maintain ageing infrastructure, and curb illegal water connections (Odendaal, 2024).

In December 2024, Rand Water undertook an 86-hour maintenance project to repair and upgrade critical pump stations, leaving large parts of Johannesburg and its surroundings without water (eNCA, 2024). While necessary, the project highlighted the fragility of Gauteng’s water infrastructure.
The numbers behind the problem are striking. South Africa loses an estimated 35% of its water annually due to leaks and inefficiencies, far higher than the global average of 15% (Department of Water and Sanitation, 2021). However, more recent national estimates place non-revenue water[1] (NRW) losses at 47%, with actual leaks accounting for 41% of total water loss. At a provincial level, non-revenue water losses range between 46% and 51% across eight provinces, with the Western Cape being a notable exception at just 27% (Carnie, 2024).

Among South Africa’s metropolitan municipalities, Durban (eThekwini) experiences the worst losses, with over 58% of its tap water classified as non-revenue water. Johannesburg follows closely at 48%, Bloemfontein at 46%, East London at 38%, Pretoria at 32.6%, Ekurhuleni at 30.9%, and Cape Town at 29%. Losses from actual leaks in eThekwini Municipality are now estimated at 46%, reinforcing the urgent need for infrastructure repair and maintenance (Carnie, 2024).

Figure 1: The percentage of water supplies lost in each province

Source: Carnie (2024) / Department of Water and Sanitation

South Africa’s NRW losses are significantly higher than those reported in Bangladesh (18%), Mongolia (16%), and Nepal (36%), as illustrated in Figure 2. While Armenia (71%) has the highest recorded NRW among the countries in the report, South Africa’s NRW of 47% still places it well above the 20% threshold considered a critical loss level. In contrast, Bangladesh and Mongolia maintain NRW below this benchmark, indicating more efficient water management (OECD, 2024).

Figure 2: Non-revenue water losses (country comparison)

Source: OECD, 2024

The financial cost of these losses is immense, approximately R9.9 billion is lost annually, a sum that could instead fund major infrastructure upgrades and maintenance. Addressing these inefficiencies is critical, as South Africa requires an additional R33 billion per year for the next decade to secure long-term water sustainability (Department of Water and Sanitation, n.d.).

The economic impact of these water challenges is profound. Johannesburg, as South Africa’s economic hub, relies heavily on a stable water supply for its industries and businesses. Prolonged outages disrupt daily operations, particularly for small and medium enterprises like restaurants, laundromats, and car washes, which depend on reliable water access. Research by the Water Research Commission highlights that water shortages can severely impact key economic sectors such as mining, manufacturing, and agriculture, leading to reduced productivity and economic losses (Barnard & Cloete, 2019; Water Research Commission, 2011).

“Anyone who has driven an under-maintained car knows it’s a case of diminishing returns,” “Fuel consumption goes up, performance declines, and once one thing breaks, it often triggers a domino effect of other issues. Similarly, with water systems, under- maintenance invites trouble, but unnecessary scheduled maintenance has its own drawbacks. The key is to strike a balance that ensures both longevity and cost-efficiency”- Chetan Mistry, Strategy and Marketing Manager at Xylem Africa (Creamer Media’s Engineering News, 2025).

Public health is another area of concern. Prolonged water outages compromise sanitation and force residents to rely on unsafe water sources. This increases the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea, particularly in informal settlements. In some areas, residents queue for hours to collect water from tankers, leading to frustration and protests (News24, 2024). These disruptions further strain healthcare systems, especially when outbreaks occur.

The environmental consequences of neglected water infrastructure cannot be ignored. Leaks and burst pipes waste vast amounts of treated water, while untreated sewage spills into rivers due to failing wastewater plants. For example, the Emfuleni Local Municipality has experienced chronic sewage spills into the Vaal River, threatening biodiversity and the drinking water supply of millions (South African Human Rights Commission, 2021). Such environmental degradation carries long-term costs, including the need for costly clean-ups and rehabilitation of damaged ecosystems.

The root cause of Gauteng’s water crisis lies in years of underinvestment and poor governance. Rand Water, the primary supplier of water to Gauteng, has faced criticism for failing to address these challenges proactively. In 2022, it was reported that 42% of South Africa’s bulk water infrastructure assets were in poor or critical condition, largely due to neglected maintenance (Department of Water and Sanitation, 2022). Deferred maintenance results in higher costs over time as small problems grow into large-scale system failures.
Addressing Gauteng’s water crisis requires immediate and sustained action. Investment in upgrading and maintaining water infrastructure is crucial to prevent future disruptions. This includes replacing ageing pipes, upgrading pump stations, and implementing leak detection technologies to reduce water losses. Proactive maintenance is far more cost-effective than reactive repairs, which often come with greater economic and social costs (Velocity Water Services, 2025).

Governance reforms are also essential. Municipalities need transparent financial management and accountability measures to ensure funds allocated for water infrastructure are spent efficiently. Corruption and mismanagement have long plagued South Africa’s water sector, and addressing these issues is critical to rebuilding public trust. Partnerships with the private sector can also play a key role by providing technical expertise and additional funding.

Lastly, community involvement should not be overlooked. Educating residents about water conservation and encouraging practices such as rainwater harvesting can reduce reliance on municipal supplies and ease pressure on infrastructure. Programmes that empower citizens to report leaks or other water-related issues can also contribute to more efficient resource management.

The cost of inaction cannot be ignored. With each passing day without meaningful investment and reform, the financial, social, and environmental strain on Gauteng continues to grow. By focusing on infrastructure upgrades, strengthening governance, and involving communities, the province has the opportunity to build a more sustainable and reliable water system. Failing to act will only exacerbate the challenges, leaving future generations to face even greater difficulties.

[1] Non-revenue water represents water that has been produced and is “lost” before it reaches the customer (either through leaks, through theft, or through legal usage for which no payment is made).

References

Barnard, S., & Cloete, R. (2019). Economic Study of Assurance of Supply Requirements for Water Resource Management with Reference to Irrigation Agriculture: Volume 2 – Procedural Guidelines for the Application of the Assurance of Supply Model in Irrigation Agriculture. Report to the Water Research Commission. WRC Report No. TT 775/2/18. Available at: https://www.wrc.org.za/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/TT%20775-2%20final%20web.pdf

Carnie, T. (2024). Billions down the SA big-city revenue drain as 40% of purified water is lost to pipe leaks. Available at: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-04-06-billions-down-the-sa-big-city-revenue-drain-as-40-of-purified-water-is-lost-to-pipe-leaks/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Creamer Media’s Engineering News. (2025). Water Infrastructure and Equipment Maintenance: A Strategic Necessity. Available at: https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/water-infrastructure-and-equipment-maintenance-a-strategic-necessity-2025-01-27

Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), 2021. National State of Water Report for South Africa- Hydrological year 2019/20. Version 3.0. Integrated Water Studies Report Number WII/IWS/NSoW 19/20-0921. PRETORIA. Available at: https://www.dws.gov.za/Projects/National%20State%20of%20Water%20Report/Documents/Final%20Reviewed%20NSoW%20Report%202019-20_approved.pdf

Department of Water and Sanitation. (2022). Water Infrastructure is in Poor Condition but Maintenance is Still Ignored. Available at: https://www.parliament.gov.za/news/water-infrastructure-poor-condition-maintenance-still-ignored

Department of Water and Sanitation. (n.d). National Water and Sanitation Master Plan. Volume 1: Call to Action. Version 10.1. Available at: https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201911/national-water-and-sanitation-master-plandf.pdf

eNCA. (2024). Water struggles expected to end as maintenance near completion. Available at: https://www.enca.com/top-stories/water-struggles-expected-end-maintenance-near-completion

News24. (2024). IN PICTURES | Joburg water crisis leaves communities in shambles. Available at: https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/in-pictures-joburg-water-crisis-leaves-communities-in-shambles-20241217

Odendaal, N. (2024). Creamer Media’s Engineering News. Gauteng water crisis won’t be solved without infrastructure and demand interventions. Available at: https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/gauteng-water-crisis-wont-be-solved-without-infrastructure-and-demand-interventions-2024-12-06#:~:text=Gauteng’s%20nonrevenue%20water%20of%20about,media%20statement%2C%20noting%20that%20the

OECD. (2024). Assessing the enabling conditions for investment in water security. Available at: https://one.oecd.org/document/ENV/WKP(2024)5/en/pdf

South African Human Rights Commission. (2021). The Vaal River Inquiry Provisional Report. Available at: https://www.sahrc.org.za/home/21/files/The%20Vaal%20Inquiry%20Final%20Report_17022021.pdf

Velocity Water Services. (2025). Proactive vs. Reactive WDS Maintenance: A Comparison of Cost Savings. Available at: https://velocitywaterservices.ca/resources/blog/proactive-vs-reactive-wds-maintenance-a-comparison-of-cost-savings.html

WaterCan. (2024). Gauteng’s water crisis: Rand Water’s messaging on the crisis. Available at: https://watercan.org.za/gautengs-water-crisis-rand-waters-messaging-on-the-crisis/

Water Research Commission. (2011). Power Outages and Their Impact on South Africa’s Water and Sanitation Delivery. Available at: https://www.wrc.org.za/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/KV%20267-111.pdf