Lack of maintenance by Rand Water will only lead to bigger p
University of South Africa Professor and Water Management expert Anja du Plessis believes the importance of infrastructure maintenance cannot be underestimated.
Du Plessis’ remarks come as Rand Water embarks on a month-long annual maintenance campaign, starting on Saturday.
It is due to end on 29 July.
Residents have been warned to store up water as this will see low water pressure to potential water cuts in various municipalities.
Affected areas include Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, Mogale City, Merafong City, Rand West City and Lesedi in Gauteng.
The campaign will also include Madibeng, Rustenburg in the North West and Thembisile Hani, Govan Mbeki, and Victor Khanye municipalities in Mpumalanga.
Rand Water said it was doing the maintenance during the winter when there is usually a lower demand for water than in the summer.
"It is very important because if they do not do maintenance, then we will start with bigger problems either in the near future or soon," said Du Plessis
"So it should be commendable that Rand Water does do the maintenance, and this is an annual thing that they do every year.
"In the past, we didn't feel the effects as much as we are doing now, but that is due to the increase in water demand, and that is obviously a complex issue where it is not just the consumer that plays a role.
"But it is also the municipality, like the City of Joburg, where we have non-revenue water, or basically most of the water gets lost within physical leaks.”
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