The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is urging water users across the country who have water, particularly in Gauteng, to reduce water consumption as rising demand and the anticipated El Niño conditions place additional pressure on water supply systems during the 2026/27 summer season. If some of the people living in areas which have water continue to use excessive quantities of water, it means that there will not be enough water for people living in areas with water-supply disruptions.

The current heatwave, now in its third consecutive week and occurring amid El Niño conditions, is driving up water demand across the Gauteng province. This is compounding existing challenges, particularly substantial water losses through leaking municipal distribution infrastructure and high average consumption per capita in certain areas.

Gauteng’s average daily water consumption stands at approximately 250 litres per person, significantly above the international average of 173 litres. Non-revenue water is estimated at 47%, with physical water losses accounting for approximately 27%. These figures highlight the importance of using available water more efficiently and reducing avoidable losses across the supply system.

DWS allocates Rand Water an annual abstraction volume from the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) and the volumes are maintained at this level to ensure sustainable availability of water in the system. The allocation is only adjusted downwards when severe drought conditions arise, or adjusted upwards where long-term assessments indicate that a sustainable increase in abstraction is possible. As such, DWS cannot allocate extra volumes above what has been allocated to Rand Water.

A collective effort is required to reduce the average daily demand for water. Residents who have water are encouraged to make water conservation a daily practice. This includes taking shorter showers; turning off taps when brushing teeth or washing dishes; repairing leaking pipes; taps; and toilets on their premises; and only watering gardens sparingly between 6 pm and 6 am to minimise evaporation.

Residents must observe municipal water-use restrictions, which may include prohibitions on watering gardens with hosepipes or sprinklers outside provided times, washing vehicles with hosepipes, cleaning driveways and patios with hosepipes, and filling or topping up swimming pools and water features. Additional restrictions may apply depending on local supply conditions. Residents are encouraged to report water wastage and violations of municipal water-use by-laws to their respective municipalities for investigation and appropriate action.

The Department continues to monitor water availability across major supply systems through hydrological assessments, dam storage monitoring and early warning systems.

The Department is also engaging water sector partners to strengthen preparedness and coordinate appropriate interventions as conditions evolve.

The South African Weather Service is forecasting a high likelihood of a strong El Niño. The phenomenon is associated with changing rainfall and temperature patterns and can contribute to below-normal rainfall and higher temperatures. These conditions could further reduce dam inflows, increase evaporation and intensify demand on water supply systems.

As such, municipalities across the country, particularly in Gauteng, are encouraged to keep communities regularly informed about the status of their water supply systems, including available treatment and distribution capacity, supply constraints and any interventions that may affect water availability. Consistent and timely communication will help residents understand prevailing conditions, plan accordingly and make informed decisions about their water use.

While the Department recognises the impact of ongoing water supply challenges on households, businesses and communities, it continues to manage the country’s water resources to ensure sustainable availability, with abstraction limits informed by available resources, dam levels and anticipated inflows.

Where necessary, DWS will implement reductions in authorised water abstraction by agricultural, industrial and other water users, including water boards, to protect stressed water resources.