‘We won’t let supply run out’

MINISTER TO GAUTENG: JOBURG WATER TO FIX LEAKS THAT LOSE 46% OF RESOURCES

- Jarryd Westerdale

As the Vaal Dam drops to only about 30% of capacity, the water and sanitation minister is assuring Gauteng residents that there is more than enough water.

Minister Pemmy Majodina yesterday addressed fears that the province's taps would run dry during the upcoming maintenance shutdown of the Lesotho Highland Water Project.

The province's liquid lifeblood has been a source of consternation, with officials and residents apportioning blame in opposite directions.

Majodina said that even though the Vaal Dam was at 33%, it was just one natural storage facility in a vast supply system.

When the Vaal Dam reaches 18%, water is transferred from Sterkfontein Dam, which registered at 97.7% of full storage capacity on 4 November.

Majodina highlighted that the province's poor water outlook was the result of human errors and not nature.

"Gauteng has no drought. We are not in a drought situation in Gauteng.

"We are in a crisis. The crisis is caused by lack of maintenance of the water infrastructure and illegal connections," the minister said.