The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng calls on the provincial government to exercise proper oversight of municipalities to ensure adequate budget allocation for pipe replacement programmes, particularly in burst-prone areas.
As South Africa observes Water Month this March, Gauteng residents face a paradoxical situation. Despite the positive news that Vaal Dam levels have risen to 97.73%, water supply challenges persist due to crumbling infrastructure.
The recent wet weather and consistent rainfall have placed additional strain on the region’s ageing asbestos pipes, which have become increasingly brittle and prone to cracking when ground movement occurs.
Water Month serves as a timely reminder of our responsibility to protect this precious resource.
Residents shouldn’t suffer the consequences when municipalities are losing almost 50% of water due to outdated technologies and deteriorating infrastructure.
The DA in Gauteng calls for the initiation of leak detection programmes across the province to help identify leaks early when there are spikes in water usage.
A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would implement smart technologies and enhance partnerships with academic institutions and the private sector to help municipalities identify areas most vulnerable to pipe failures. This will help fix the infrastructure and reduce water losses.