South Africans are currently facing water shortages and outages due to factors such as aging infrastructure, power failures, storms, and increased demand. To address this crisis, the government and Rand Water have implemented “water shifting”. This involves redirecting water from less busy lines to areas that require it most. It is essential to understand how water shifting works and what can be done to ensure adequate water supply.

What is water shifting and why is it necessary?

Water shifting is an interim solution that aims to balance the water supply and demand in Gauteng, the most populous province in South Africa. According to Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu, water shifting is not a permanent solution, but a temporary measure until the system recovers and can supply all areas, especially the high-lying ones.

Water shifting works by transferring water from one system to another, depending on the availability and demand of water in different regions. For example, water can be shifted from the Vaal River System, which supplies about 60% of Gauteng’s water, to the Palmiet Pumping Station, which supplies the northern parts of the province. This way, water can be distributed more evenly and efficiently, and reduce the risk of water outages.

Water shifting is necessary because of the multiple challenges that the water sector is facing, such as:

• The aging and deteriorating water infrastructure causes leaks, bursts, and wastage of water. According to Rand Water, about 35% of the water supplied in Gauteng is lost due to leaks.
• The frequent power failures affect the operation of the water treatment plants and pumping stations. For instance, the storm that hit Gauteng on September 19, 2023, caused a power outage at the Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant, which reduced the water supply to several areas.
• The increased water demand exceeds the available water supply. Gauteng’s population has grown by more than 30% in the past decade, from 11.2 million in 2011 to 14.7 million in 2021. This means more people need more water, but the water resources are limited and stressed.
• The climate change affects rainfall patterns and water availability. South Africa is a water-scarce country, with an average annual rainfall of 492 mm, compared to the global average of 860 mm. The country is also experiencing more frequent and severe droughts, floods, and heatwaves, which affect water security and quality.

How can you prepare for water shifting and conserve water?

While water shifting is a necessary measure to ensure water supply, it also means that some areas may experience low water pressure, intermittent water supply, or water outages at certain times. Therefore, it is important to be prepared and conserve water as much as possible. Here are some tips that you can follow:

• Store enough water Store clean water in covered containers like bottles, buckets or tanks for your essential needs like drinking, cooking, washing, and sanitation. You may also treat or boil the water before using it.
• Use water sparingly and wisely, and To save water, take shorter showers, fix any leaks, use a bucket to wash your car or garden, install water-efficient devices, and reuse greywater for flushing toilets or watering plants.
• Support local businesses that offer water solutions, such as K-Plumbing, a full-service plumbing business that provides quality services to residential and commercial customers. K-Plumbing can help you with installing, repairing, or maintaining your plumbing systems, as well as offering green plumbing and water systems solutions, such as:

• • Rainwater harvesting, which collects and stores rainwater for later use, reduces your dependence on municipal water supply and saves you money on your water bills.
  • Greywater recycling, which treats and reuses wastewater from showers, baths, sinks, and washing machines, reduces your water consumption and wastewater discharge.
  • Solar water heating, which uses solar energy to heat water, reduces your electricity usage and carbon footprint.
  • Water filtration, removes impurities and contaminants from water, improving the water quality and taste. K-Plumbing offers a wide variety of solutions that can solve this.
  • Smart water meters, monitor and measure your water usage and leaks, alerting you via SMS or email when there is a problem. K-Plumbing offers the LESIRA wireless water meter monitoring and alerting system, which is innovative, reliable, and affordable.
  • Innovative waterless products, K-Plumbing offers and installs innovative waterless systems like Airpropel toilets and Falcon urinals, which save water and money.

K-Plumbing operates in Pretoria and surrounding areas and offers 24/7 service and guaranteed work. Visit their website for more information to learn more about their services and products.

Conclusion

Join the water-wise movement in Gauteng and help balance the supply and demand with water-shifting! Every drop counts, so stay informed and prepared. Let’s work together for sustainable water use and a brighter future!