**Fatshimetrie** **looks** at** the **water** **security** **crisis** in** **Gauteng** **in** **South** **Africa**
The water security crisis is gripping South Africa’s most populous province, Gauteng, and appears to be exacerbated by the lack of maintenance and upgrades to water infrastructure. This is the alarm raised by the latest issue of the journal **Fatshimetrie**, drawing attention to the dire consequences of this situation.
Craig Sheridan, a water expert and director of the Water Research and Development Centre at the University of the Witwatersrand, points out that population growth and a lack of attention to water systems are seriously compromising the region’s water security. The phenomenon of “water shedding”, similar to the electrical load-shedding well known to South Africans, is now plaguing the water supply network in Gauteng, and more particularly in Johannesburg.
South Africa has put in place effective systems, such as dams and inter-basin transfer projects, to guarantee the water supply to regions such as Johannesburg and Gauteng. However, despite the past effectiveness of these systems, water distribution in Johannesburg has become increasingly erratic, leading to negative consequences for residents.
Sheridan warns of an imminent water shortage, warning that water, although currently available, could become a scarce commodity if no action is taken to resolve this crisis. He also highlights the increased risk of contamination linked to the microbiological quality of the water.
Water management in Johannesburg is complex, involving several actors such as the Department of Water and Sanitation, Rand Water, and Johannesburg Water. However, Sheridan highlights an imbalance between current water supply and future water needs, highlighting the need to rethink and strengthen water infrastructure nationwide.
The delay in building new dams in Lesotho, a key strategy for Johannesburg’s water security, has amplified the crisis. This inaction has direct implications for the region’s growing population, highlighting the urgency of investing in sustainable solutions to ensure reliable water supplies.
In conclusion, the water security crisis in Gauteng requires immediate and concerted action by authorities and stakeholders. The future of the region’s water supply will depend on all stakeholders working together to ensure effective and sustainable water resource management.