13 Mar 2024 | 10:36 AM UTC
South Africa: Further water disruptions likely in Johannesburg through March /update 2
Further water disruptions due to ongoing drought likely in Johannesburg, South Africa, through March. Protests possible.
Further water disruptions are likely in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, through at least March, amid an ongoing draught affecting Southern Africa. Seven of the cities' reservoirs are reportedly empty, preventing adequate distribution. The most recent water shortages began in late 2023, with reports suggesting that the shortages are affecting over 20 suburbs, including Sandton, Randburg, and Johannesburg CBD. Authorities have announced efforts to ensure equal distribution of water, with water tankers currently servicing water-restricted areas.
Business disruptions are possible, especially for companies that rely on large quantities of municipal water. Essential services, including hospitals and health facilities, could experience disruptions due to water cuts. The water outages could extend beyond the estimated restoration time. Spontaneous protests are possible in areas affected by water shortages, especially in lower-income areas. In the event of protests, increased security and road travel disruptions stemming from blockades are likely.
Stock up on drinking water and confirm alternative water supplies for business operations if operating in the impacted areas. Use only bottled water from reputable suppliers for drinking and hygienic purposes. Water pressure and quality may be poor after service resumes; run taps for several minutes before using water. Minimize nonessential water use throughout the outage. Avoid protests, and do not drive through roadblocks that may materialize. Heed instructions from authorities.
South Africa, Gauteng especially, regularly suffers from water shortages due to increasingly erratic rainfall patterns, as well as repeated infrastructure breakdowns, high demand, and alleged sabotage. Recurring power cuts have also prevented freshwater pumps from delivering water to some localities and prevented sewage plants from processing grey water.
Authorities have regularly implemented water restrictions to mitigate disruptions. Current advisories are for consumers to continue practicing level 1 water usage restrictions, including the prohibition of garden watering, car washing, and the filling of swimming pools between 06:00-18:00.
