LIST: Tshwane identifies 10 high water-use areas
· The South African
The City of Tshwane has placed several suburbs on alert as water consumption reaches critical levels, warning that continued overuse threatens the stability of the metro’s water supply.
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The city says recent data show unusually high household demand, prompting residents to make an urgent appeal for immediate action.
Water system under severe strain in Tshwane
The city reports that overall demand has surged beyond sustainable levels. In a notice to residents, the city confirmed it is “currently experiencing high-water consumption levels critically, placing our entire supply system under severe strain.” Engineers caution that if demand continues at this pace, residents may experience pressure drops or intermittent supply interruptions.
The city’s latest water balance assessment highlights that some neighbourhoods significantly exceed average household consumption. According to the municipality, these trends undermine efforts to maintain consistent pressure and equitable distribution, particularly during peak usage periods.
Top 10 areas flagged for high usage
Data shows that several communities consume well above the average of 25 kilolitres per household per month. The city said its analysis “confirms that your area is one of the Top 10 priority areas identified for high water usage.” The identified areas are:
- Atteridgeville
- Eldoraigne
- Hammanskraal West
- Laudium
- Lotus Gardens
- Mamelodi
- Nellmapius
- New Eersterus
- Soshanguve South
- Winterveld
The city warns that “these high demands are putting strain on water availability and supply stability across the city,” adding that failure to reduce usage could trigger low pressure or outages.
Residents urged to act immediately
The municipality has issued a direct plea, stressing the everyday consequences of inaction.
“Think about the inconvenience of low pressure or no water, the inability to cook, clean or bathe. This is the reality we are trying to avoid,” the city said.
To stabilise supply, the city urges residents to take immediate steps:
- Limit showers to under five minutes
- Report leaks immediately
- Run washing machines and dishwashers only when fully loaded
The city emphasises that collective action matters, noting that “your individual efforts when combined will make the difference between a stable supply and citywide outage.”