City of Johannesburg Speaker of Council, Cllr Nobuhle Mthembu, welcomes the collaborative efforts and urgent action plan announced by the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Office of the Premier, City of Johannesburg and Johannesburg Water to address the ongoing water challenges in the city.
The legislature recognises the impact that frequent water interruptions have had on the lives of residents of the city which impact their dignity while stifling economic activity in a time where we can ill afford to suppress economic growth.
This impact on businesses is counterproductive and contrary to the World Class African City slogan which we aspire to mirror the city after.
The legislature recognises the impact that frequent water interruptions have had on the lives of residents of the city which impact their dignity while stifling economic activity in a time where we can ill afford to suppress economic growth.
This impact on businesses is counterproductive and contrary to the World Class African City slogan which we aspire to mirror the city after.
With the population of the city growing every day, the proposed interventions should produce long term solutions that will help the City meet its supply demands, while embarking on an upgrade and modernisation of the water infrastructure considering that the existing infrastructure stock is outdated.
This must also include a comprehensive review of the City’s billing system, to ensure that residents are being billed accurately, in efforts to repair the trust deficit that has grown over time due to billing system inefficiencies.
This ecosystem is important towards establishing a robust stakeholder management framework that is proactive and responsive to immediate challenges, while it also enhances the city’s revenue collection across the board.
Additionally, measures such as reducing water losses through the repair of leaks, expanding treatment and storage capacity, enhancing pressure management and curbing illegal connections are essential steps that will lay the groundwork for a more resilient water system. This will assist the city, at large, towards the reduction of non-revenue water overtime.
The Office of the Speaker also encourages residents of the city to adhere to the proposed nightly water reduction as this will help reduce demand pressures on the already strained infrastructure.
The legislature, through the Office of the Speaker, is ready to play the important role of engaging communities and driving awareness about responsible water use and conservation, with the long-term view of reducing the daily water consumption from the current 279 litres per day to the international standard of 173 litres per day. Water is life. Water is dignity. Let us all play our respective roles in addressing this crisis.
BY LUCKY SEANEGO
