DWS and Rand Water

By Mpho Moloi

Soweto, Gauteng – The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has teamed up with Rand Water and Brandscapers Africa to promote water conservation in Orlando West, in Soweto. This was part of the Drop-by-Drop Outreach Programme held at Uncle Tom’s Community Centre on Thursday. The collaboration underscores the department’s commitment to working with key stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of saving water and reporting leaks, which remain critical to ensuring sustainable water supply for all. The outreach programme took place in Soweto, one of Johannesburg’s most affected areas when it comes to water shortages. Johannesburg has been experiencing repeated water supply challenges, often resulting in service delivery protests. “Bringing the outreach programme to Soweto is a proactive and prompt effort to engage with residents directly on issues of water conservation, infrastructure maintenance, and leak reporting – empowering communities to be part of the solution to the city’s water challenges,” the Department of Water and Sanitation said in a statement.
On Friday, the team carried out a river clean-up activity along the Klip River as part of efforts to promote environmental stewardship and to protect local water resources. In addition to the clean-up, the team conducted a door-to-door campaign engaging directly with residents of Orlando West to raise awareness about water conservation and the responsible use of water. During these visits, residents were also requested to respond to a questionnaire designed to identify water-related challenges they face in their communities. According to the department, the information gathered will assist Rand Water Water-Wise Team in developing targeted interventions and strengthening future community support initiatives. Department of Water and Sanitation Gauteng Provincial Head, Justice Maluleke, addressed the community of Orlando West, emphasising the critical need to repair and report water leakages and to use water sparingly. Maluleke said the engagement served as an important platform to empower residents with practical knowledge on saving water and encouraging collective responsibility in safeguarding water, as well as water infrastructure. “South Africa does not have enough water, in fact, it is one of the driest countries in the world. Our pattern of rainfall far differs from what other countries are getting, and it is becoming worse due to climate change. It calls of us to rethink how we use water,” he said. He explained that in South Africa people use about 300 litres of water per person per day, while the global average is about 173 litres per person per day. Maluleke explained that the high use of water as compared to the global average is due to water lost through leaks and irresponsible water use. “DWS will always support initiatives like this, because if we implement what we are discussing here we are going to solve future problems and ensure sustainable water supply for all. The core of what we need to go out and do, as individuals, as institutions, is to try and manage our water use, especially by fixing the leaks, or getting those who know to assist us to fix water leaks. This does not assist in saving water, but it also has economic value because the water bill goes down,” he said. Maluleke expressed his concern about residents who are not paying for their water as indigents or those who are living in informal settlements. He pleaded with all who are getting free water to use it sparingly. Maluleke issued a stern warning to those who bypass water meters or connect illegally to water infrastructures. “The Department of Water and Sanitation together with its entities pleads with residents to be responsible water users,” he said.
The two-day event, which kicked off at the Hector Pieterson Museum on 30 October 2025, aimed to educate locals on simple steps to save water and protect the environment. With Johannesburg facing ongoing dry taps and low pressure, this drive comes at a key time to get communities involved in fixing the problem.

Building Partnerships for a Water-Wise Future

The Drop-by-Drop programme brings together government bodies and private partners to tackle water waste at the grassroots level. Rand Water’s Water Wise team led sessions on everyday tips, like checking for leaks in taps and toilets, which can waste thousands of litres a month if ignored. Brandscapers Africa added creative touches, using art and talks to make the message stick with young people and families. This teamwork shows how different groups can join hands to fight a shared challenge, especially in places like Soweto where water cuts hit hard.
Similar drives have happened before in Gauteng, but this one focused on Orlando West due to its history of shortages. The area often sees protests over empty reservoirs and burst pipes, making it a prime spot for hands-on learning. By going door-to-door, the team reached over 200 homes, handing out flyers and chatting about ways to cut use, like shorter showers or reusing grey water for gardens.

Hands-On Activities to Clean and Conserve

Friday’s clean-up along the Klip River saw volunteers pick up litter and learn about how pollution harms water sources. The river, which runs through Soweto, gets clogged with plastic and waste, making it harder to treat water downstream. Participants, including school kids, filled bags with rubbish while hearing about the link between clean rivers and safe drinking water. This part of the programme ties into bigger goals, like protecting catchments that feed dams serving Johannesburg.
The questionnaires asked about daily water habits, common problems like low pressure, and ideas for fixes. Answers will help shape plans, such as free leak repairs for poor households or more tanks in informal spots. Rand Water aims to use this data for quick wins, like workshops on fixing basic leaks at home.

South Africa’s Growing Water Scarcity Crisis

South Africa ranks as one of the world’s driest nations, with just 464 millimetres of rain a year – less than half the global average. By 2025, experts predict a 17% water shortfall, meaning demand will outstrip supply without big changes. Climate change makes it worse, with erratic rains and hotter weather drying up dams faster. In Gauteng, home to 15 million people, this means tighter supplies for everyone.
Daily use here tops 300 litres per person, way above the world’s 173 litres. Much of that goes to waste through old pipes that leak up to 40% of treated water before it reaches taps. In rural areas, scarcity hits even harder, with some spots facing “day zero” risks where taps run dry for good. Government pushes for cuts, but habits like long baths or garden hoses add up.

Johannesburg’s Battle with Dry Taps and Protests

The city has faced water woes all year, with millions dealing with cuts, low flow, and no supply for days. In places like Soweto and Alexandra, ageing pipes and high demand from growth strain the system. Johannesburg Water blames leaks in half its reservoirs, pledging to fix 24 out of 45 this year with new budgets. But protests erupt often, with people blocking roads over empty tanks and poor fixes.
Mayor Dada Morero says the city is on track, with noise loggers spotting leaks and smart valves cutting waste. Daily use has dropped from 1,792 to 1,702 megalitres through calls for thrift. Yet, critics say slow repairs – only 14 km of pipes fixed yearly when 12,000 km need it – keep the crisis going. Hospitals and schools suffer too, with some using buckets during outages.
Urgent Calls for Action and Community Role
Maluleke’s words hit home: fix leaks to save water and cash. For free water users in shacks or as indigents, he urged care to stretch supplies. He slammed illegal hook-ups that steal from the grid, worsening shortages for all.

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DWS

DWS and Rand Water Join Forces with Brandscapers Africa for Drop-by-Drop Water Conservation Drive in Soweto

DWS and Rand Water

By Mpho Moloi

Building Partnerships for a Water-Wise Future

Hands-On Activities to Clean and Conserve

South Africa’s Growing Water Scarcity Crisis

Johannesburg’s Battle with Dry Taps and Protests

centralnewsza #news #politics #ngwathe #feziledabi #freestate

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