Taps still running dry

Doubts over water supply amid growing demand and decay.

- Zanele Mbengo

Amid the anticipation around the National Assembly's election of South Africa's new president and the announcement of a new Cabinet, uncertainty looms over the fate of the water department.

This uncertainty comes as the country grapples with a pressing water crisis.

Adele Botes, senior audit manager at accountancy and business advisory firm BDO, said the water crisis gripping Gauteng is a stark reminder of the challenges facing South Africa in ensuring a sustainable water supply amid growing demand and infrastructural decay.

Botes said there was a need for urgent and immediate attention on the ongoing crisis in the province, where some areas had experienced prolonged periods without water in recent months.

"Several challenges have contributed to the current water infrastructure crisis. A major issue is the ageing infrastructure that has not been adequately maintained to meet the growing population's water needs.

"The continuous growth in demand has led to the existing systems struggling to cope, leading to water shortages and pressure on available resources," said Botes.