The loss of urban infrastructure in Gauteng Province is a national risk

By Benoît Le Roy, CEO of the SA Water Chamber

The threat of Day zero in Gauteng has dominated headlines for several months as escalating water outages in the province’s three metropolitan areas are no longer a future possibility but a present crisis.

What is Day Zero?

Day Zero marks the critical point at which a city’s water supply is nearly depleted, taps are dry and communities are in crisis. This is generally accepted Day zero is generally related to the levels of the dams that supply urban water systems. In the case of Gauteng, however IVRS (Integrated Vaal River System) is not the direct cause as the dam level is well above 50% and recently even reached 100%. So what are the real threats in Gauteng?

Key threats to Gauteng’s water supply

There are several issues driving the current Day Zero Gauteng Danger:

• Leaky urban infrastructure: Water distribution systems in major cities leak between 30 and 40%.
• Rand Waters financial burden: The large water supplier is under financial pressure due to poor payments from its customers – the cities.
• Excessive water withdrawal: To compensate for leaky subway systems, Rand Water has been withdrawing too much water in excess of its legal water use license, jeopardizing the sustainability of the subway system IVRS.

This situation has worsened over the last decade leaky infrastructure In 2023, the loss rate is now approaching a 50 percent loss rate, up from about 30 percent. The cause? Aging and poorly maintained pipes, many of which have exceeded their intended lifespan. The resources required to repair and maintain these systems are enormous. An estimated R40 billion is needed for Gauteng alone and R26 billion for Johannesburg alone. At the national level, the cost is between R200 and R400 billion.

Lack of leadership and planning

Municipalities must take responsibility and show leadership. They must create concrete, council-approved plans to repair and modernize their aging water systems rather than relying on vague strategies. There are currently no significant plans to modernize the deteriorating infrastructure.

The situation is becoming critical. In Gauteng, Rand Water delivers an average of 4,200 megaliters per day (ML/day), of which 1,600 ML/day is lost to leaks in municipal systems – a sharp increase from 1,200 ML/day just a few years ago. The breakdown of distribution systems is accelerating.

Despite the urgent need for action, metros have publicly stated that they do not have the billions of rand needed for repairs. The private sector remains the only viable option for financing, but significant governance issues must be resolved before private investment can be secured. At Nexus Water AlchemyWe are working on developing one Water governance framework We will address these challenges and will publish our results in early 2025.

Systemic risk to national security

Gauteng’s leaky urban infrastructure is not just a regional problem – it is a problem national systemic risk for South Africa’s economy and security. As Rand Water If the country reduces its water withdrawals by 10% to meet its legal obligations, metropolitan areas are expected to run out of water due to leaks alone, rather than increased demand. The data shows that water demand has remained constant over the past three years and has not changed between winter and summer demand, highlighting the increasing losses due to leaks.

At a national level, community water resources must be restored with the utmost urgency, particularly in Gauteng, to prevent further developments Water outages and the potential for a Day zero Scenario – even if the dam system continues to be relatively well supplied. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has begun publishing weekly Gauteng water dashboards, engaging stakeholders in critical discussions on future water security measures.

Solutions and the way forward

We have several solutions at our disposal to avert the crisis. One of the most effective is Earmarked water revenue to ensure that funds are used efficiently to meet infrastructure needs. Additionally, Print demand management “LIVE” management of water systems using digital tools can significantly reduce water losses. However, political will is needed to advance these efforts and implement the necessary reforms. With these steps we can prevent the catastrophe Day zero in Gauteng and secure the water future of the province – and the country.

At Nexus Water AlchemyWe are committed to developing comprehensive recovery solutions Water safety in South Africa. While we cannot predict the future with certainty, the signs are clear. If we don’t act now, the consequences will be severe. But with the right strategies, leadership and collaboration, we can ensure this Day Zero Gauteng remains more of a theoretical threat than a reality.