WaterCAN calls on government to address leaks in public buildings

Water resource organisation WaterCAN has urged the government to address water leaks in public buildings, which it says may be contributing to water shortages that led to recently announced restrictions in Johannesburg.

The City of Johannesburg implements restrictions starting Thursday to help stabilise reservoir levels currently at 40 percent.

WaterCAN Executive Manager Dr. Ferrial Adam says that the responsibility for water leaks should not fall solely on residents.

“We need skilled teams to actually deal with the amount of leaks that’s happening. We also think that at a higher level they should do an audit of all government buildings. They’re always blaming residents, but we need to know in terms of government buildings, how much are they losing, and can they focus on that- and fix those things.”

Adam also raised concerns over emerging policies suggesting potential moves toward privatization in water management, noting, “So, those are the smaller issues that we’re looking at, but as a systemic issue. I think that we are concerned that what is coming through, through some of the new policies is a morph towards privatisation, and that is a little bit of a concern for us.”

[LISTEN] Dr. Ferrial Adam, Executive Manager of WaterCAN says the 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. period will actually be used to fill up the reservoirs, as the City of Joburg announced water restrictions starting Thursday.
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— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) November 12, 2024