{"id":43576,"date":"2026-10-23T08:42:04","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T06:42:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=43576"},"modified":"2026-10-23T08:42:05","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T06:42:05","slug":"rand-water-areas-consuming-more-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/rand-water-areas-consuming-more-water\/","title":{"rendered":"Rand Water Flags Areas Consuming More Water Than Allocated: Johannesburg, Tshwane And Emfuleni Told To Cut Use Or Face Supply Cuts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rand Water has warned that several Gauteng municipalities are using far more water than they\u2019re allowed. It says it\u2019s already pumping at maximum capacity, but demand keeps rising and consumption has hit record levels.<\/p><div id=\"gaute-3110069904\" class=\"gaute-after-paragraph-1 gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a statement on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, the bulk water utility named the <strong>City of Johannesburg<\/strong>, the <strong>City of Tshwane<\/strong> and <strong>Emfuleni<\/strong> as the biggest over-users. It warned that it may cut supply to municipalities that don\u2019t bring their consumption down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSustained overconsumption is making it increasingly difficult to balance supply across the network,\u201d Rand Water said, adding that this \u201cheightens the risk of disruptions\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which Areas Are Using Too Much Water?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rand Water gives each municipality an allocation, which is the volume of water it\u2019s allowed to draw each day. Some also have a temporary, higher limit. Here\u2019s how Gauteng\u2019s main municipalities compare, in megalitres a day (Ml\/day). One megalitre is one million litres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Municipality<\/th><th>Daily use<\/th><th>Licensed allocation<\/th><th>Temporary limit<\/th><th>Immediate cut needed<\/th><th>Total cut needed<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>City of Johannesburg<\/td><td>1 801<\/td><td>1 356<\/td><td>1 528<\/td><td>273<\/td><td>445<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>City of Tshwane<\/td><td>794<\/td><td>667<\/td><td>752<\/td><td>42<\/td><td>127<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Emfuleni<\/td><td>315<\/td><td>239<\/td><td>269<\/td><td>46<\/td><td>76<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>City of Ekurhuleni<\/td><td>1 005<\/td><td>1 022<\/td><td>1 152<\/td><td>Within allocation<\/td><td>Within allocation<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Johannesburg<\/strong> is the biggest over-user. It draws about 445 Ml a day, or about <strong>33%<\/strong>, more than its licensed allocation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tshwane<\/strong> uses about 127 Ml a day, or about <strong>19%<\/strong>, more than its allocation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emfuleni<\/strong>, in the Vaal, is about <strong>32%<\/strong> over its allocation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ekurhuleni<\/strong> is just within its allocation, but it\u2019s being monitored.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rand Water wants over-users to cut back to their temporary limits immediately, then gradually reduce use to their licensed allocations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other Municipalities Over Their Allocation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Rand Water\u2019s figures, as reported by IOL, these municipalities are also over their allocations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mogale City:<\/strong> 107 Ml\/day against 93 Ml\/day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Midvaal:<\/strong> 39 Ml\/day against 28 Ml\/day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lesedi:<\/strong> 25 Ml\/day against 23 Ml\/day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Outside Gauteng:<\/strong> Madibeng, Rustenburg, Royal Bafokeng and Ngwathe.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Merafong, Rand West and Ekurhuleni are within their allocations but are being watched because demand remains high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ALSO READ:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/el-nino-2026-south-africa\/\">El Ni\u00f1o 2026: South Africa Warned Of Hotter Weather, Drought And Severe Storms<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3510736682\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Rand Water Says<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/heyzine.com\/flip-book\/de9a431138.html#page\/8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rand Water<\/a> says it has repeatedly warned municipalities about high consumption, and that talks on ways to reduce demand are ongoing. So far, those efforts haven\u2019t brought use down enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cImmediate compliance is essential to avert the risk of system failure and protect continuity of supply,\u201d the utility said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It warned that it \u201cwill take appropriate steps to protect the system and curtail supply water to over consuming customers\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo urged everyone to play their part: \u201cMunicipalities, residents and businesses are urged to use water responsibly.\u201d She described saving water as \u201ca shared responsibility\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Is Demand So High?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several factors are pushing up demand:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hot weather:<\/strong> Gauteng has had hot days recently, and the South African Weather Service expects above-normal temperatures this summer as a very strong El Ni\u00f1o develops. People use more water in the heat for drinking, bathing, gardens and pools.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Leaks and losses:<\/strong> municipalities lose large amounts of water through ageing pipes, burst mains and leaks before it reaches customers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Illegal connections and waste:<\/strong> water that\u2019s stolen or wasted still has to be supplied by Rand Water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A system at its limit:<\/strong> Rand Water supplies about 5 000 megalitres a day, with about 77% going to Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. Earlier this year, it said it was already \u201coverstretching its assets\u201d to keep up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Johannesburg Is Responding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Johannesburg Water says its systems are under \u201csignificant strain\u201d because of high consumption, which it links to recent high temperatures. The extra demand is making it harder for reservoirs and water towers to stay full.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cJohannesburg Water is experiencing significant strain on its water supply systems due to high consumption,\u201d said spokesperson Nombusi Shabalala.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The utility says it will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>disconnect unauthorised (illegal) water connections<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>limit supply to areas with high leakage, heavy wastage or poor payment rates<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>introduce conservation and demand-control measures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3510736682\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What This Means For Gauteng Residents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If municipalities don\u2019t cut their use, Rand Water could reduce the bulk supply it sends them. For residents, that could mean:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>low water pressure,<\/strong> especially in higher-lying areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>night-time throttling,<\/strong> where supply is reduced overnight to let reservoirs refill<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>outages,<\/strong> if reservoirs and towers run low<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>water restrictions,<\/strong> such as limits on garden watering and filling pools.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How You Can Save Water<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Water gardens only early in the morning or in the evening,<\/strong> and follow your municipality\u2019s restrictions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t use a hosepipe<\/strong> to wash cars or hose down paving. Use a bucket and a broom instead.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fix leaks.<\/strong> A dripping tap or running toilet can waste thousands of litres a month.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Take shorter showers<\/strong> instead of baths.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Run washing machines and dishwashers only when they\u2019re full.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cover your pool<\/strong> to cut down on evaporation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Report burst pipes and leaks<\/strong> to your municipality right away.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keep some drinking water stored<\/strong> in case of outages, especially if you live in an area that often has low pressure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which Municipalities Are Using Too Much Water?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rand Water says Johannesburg, Tshwane and Emfuleni are using the most water above their allocations. Mogale City, Midvaal, Lesedi and several municipalities outside Gauteng are also over their limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Much Water Is Johannesburg Using?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Johannesburg uses about 1 801 megalitres a day, against a licensed allocation of 1 356 megalitres a day. That\u2019s about 445 megalitres a day too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will Rand Water Cut Water Supply?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rand Water has warned that it may curtail supply to municipalities that keep using more than their allocations. No dates or specific cuts have been announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Ekurhuleni Over Its Allocation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. Ekurhuleni uses about 1 005 megalitres a day, just within its allocation of 1 022 megalitres a day, but it\u2019s being monitored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Is Gauteng Using So Much Water?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hot weather, leaks, ageing infrastructure, illegal connections and wastage are all pushing up demand at a time when Rand Water is already pumping at full capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Can I Help Save Water?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Water gardens only in the cooler parts of the day, fix leaks, take shorter showers, avoid using hosepipes and report burst pipes to your municipality.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rand Water has warned that several Gauteng municipalities are using far more water than they\u2019re allowed. It says it\u2019s already pumping at maximum capacity, but demand keeps rising and consumption has hit record levels. In a statement on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, the bulk water utility named the City of Johannesburg, the City of Tshwane<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":43577,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"Rand Water,Johannesburg Water,Tshwane,Water Restrictions","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Rand Water says Johannesburg, Tshwane and Emfuleni are using far more water than allocated and warns of supply cuts. Here\u2019s what it means for you.","footnotes":"","_ppma_block_editor_authors":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[1765,5201],"ppma_author":[11567],"class_list":["post-43576","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news","tag-rand-water","tag-water-management"],"authors":[{"term_id":11567,"user_id":7,"is_guest":0,"slug":"makhosazane","display_name":"Makhosazane","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/08ae8e4b9b86dbda0979f667ab20cfeaa3877eb672acde59c0901ed43e1c05ab?s=96&r=g","author_category":"1","first_name":"Makhosazane","last_name":"Jiyane","user_url":"","job_title":"","description":"As an SEO Content Editor with a background in journalism and digital media, I have a passion for crafting high-quality, engaging, and informative content that connects with audiences and ranks on search engines. I believe in the power of storytelling, data-driven insights, and digital innovation to transform how information is shared and consumed. Through my work, I strive to make a meaningful impact - one article at a time."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43576","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43576"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43576\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43578,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43576\/revisions\/43578"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43577"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43576"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43576"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43576"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=43576"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}