Water utility Rand Water on Tuesday warned that water consumption by several municipal customers has reached exceptionally high levels, placing the water supply system under increasing pressure.

The utility is pumping at maximum capacity, however, demand continues to rise and consumption has reached record levels.

The City of Johannesburg is consuming 1 801-million litres of water a day, well above its licensed allocation of 1 356-million litres a day and its temporarily increased limit of 1 528-million litres a day, requiring an immediate reduction of 273-million litres and a gradual reduction of 445-million litres to bring it back in line with its targets.

The City of Tshwane is using 794-million litres a day, also above its licensed allocation of 752-million litres a day, as well as its temporary allocation of 752-million litres a day. Rand Water indicates that the city needs an immediate water use reduction of 42-million litres and a gradual water use reduction of 127-million litres.

The City of Ekurhuleni, with water consumption of 1 005-million litres a day, is maintaining its water use below its 1 152-million litres a day temporary allocation and 1 022-million litres a day permanent allocation.

Emfuleni, consuming 415-million litres a day, is above its permanent and temporary allocations of 239-million litres a day and 269-million litres a day respectively. Emfuleni needs an immediate and gradual reduction of 46-million litres and 76-million litres respectively.

“Sustained overconsumption is making it increasingly difficult to balance supply across the network and heightens the risk of disruptions unless demand is brought under control,” Rand Water said in a statement on Tuesday.

The utility is calling on all municipal customers to implement immediate measures to reduce consumption and stabilise the system, noting that it had repeatedly alerted municipalities to the high levels of consumption.

“Further, ongoing engagements focus on coordinating mitigation strategies and identifying additional measures to strengthen the water supply system. Despite these efforts, persistent high consumption in certain areas continues to undermine the sustainable balance of supply across the network.”

Rand Water therefore calls on all over-consuming municipal customers to reduce consumption in line with their allocated volumes.

“Immediate compliance is essential to avert the risk of system failure and protect continuity of supply. Where necessary, Rand Water will take appropriate steps to protect the system and curtail supply water to over consuming customers.

“Rand Water is duty bound to protect the bulk supply system and will not hesitate to take appropriate action where necessary.”