JOHANNESBURG - Rand Water says high consumption and leaks are to blame for the crisis in Johannesburg and Tshwane.
It says the utility is providing more water daily than it's meant to.
High temperatures are also contributing to high usage.
Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo said the bulk water supplier said it was concerned by the persistently high consumption of water, particularly in Gauteng.
“In Johannesburg and Tshwane, the challenge is not water in the system. We have enough water in the system, but it is the high consumption that we are witnessing,” said Maroo.
She said Rand Water is supposed to produce about 4,700 million litres a day to supply to the three metros but currently, they are producing over 5,000 million litres.
“That is over what our licence allocates. As we are producing more water, more water is being consumed. While the system was recovering slowly, we witness high consumption and high temperatures.”