Tshwane urges residents to cut back on water consumption, warns of risk of shortages

JOHANNESBURG - Tshwane residents face a serious risk of water shortages, as the city warns that consumption levels are reaching unsustainable highs.

Officials said that reservoirs have been dropping rapidly over the past two weeks, forcing the city to draw 22% more water from Rand Water than it is licensed to.

The city has urged residents to cut back, warning that if habits don’t change, prolonged supply interruptions are inevitable.

Level one restrictions, including a ban on daytime garden watering, hosepipe car washes and filling swimming pools, remain in force.

The city said that non-compliant residents could face fines, supply restrictions or disconnections.

City spokesperson, Selby Bokaba: "The water utility is currently pumping about 926 million litres per day to Tshwane, when it is supposed to be pumping 662 million litres per day. This is 22% more than the city’s permitted limit."