Rand Water and Johannesburg Water have issued a joint statement warning consumers to use water sparingly as demand is outstripping supply.

The statement, issued over the weekend, points to increasing water consumption placing strain on the system, with Rand Water’s primary and secondary stations operating at their maximum capacity.

However, with high consumption by consumers and citizens in the metropolitan and surrounding areas, the entity is unable to maintain high water levels and reservoir levels remain at their lowest levels.

“Owing to the system being integrated, even customers that are using water sparingly are being affected. High potable water consumption may result in the collapse of the system, which will result in intermittent water supply,” the parties said in the statement, urging consumers to conserve water and follow water-saving measures.

These include avoiding watering lawns and gardens with clean drinking water; refraining from filling-up swimming pools until consumption has reduced; washing vehicles only on weekends using buckets; shortening showers to two minutes; and fixing all leaking plumbing, besides others.