JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG — As the South Africa water crisis deepens, with multiple municipalities grappling with severe contamination and prolonged outages, water management expert Prof. Anja du Plessis is urging local governments to prioritize transparency and better communication with their residents.
Recent weeks have seen a staggering cluster of water-related emergencies across the country, renewing public concern over water safety and placing immense financial strain on households already navigating a cost-of-living crisis.
A Nation Grappling with Contamination and Outbreaks
The current surge in water challenges is not isolated to a single region. Prof. du Plessis notes that while headlines are dominated by a few key areas, the reality on the ground is much broader.
In Bronkhorstspruit, a gastrointestinal outbreak has been linked to a complete failure to chlorinate the water supply for three weeks. The expert highlights that chlorine serves as the final line of defense against bacteria and pathogens, and the failure to administer it—coupled with a failure to warn the public not to drink the tap water—points to severe negligence. This issue in Bronkhorstspruit is not new, with residents complaining about the water quality for years.
Similar gastrointestinal outbreaks have unfolded in the Pretoria CBD and around Rhodes University in Makhanda. uMfolozi has also been identified as another area facing severe water-related challenges.
The Trust Deficit and the Push for Transparency
According to Prof. du Plessis, the most significant casualty of these ongoing crises is public trust. She contrasts the historical silence of some municipalities with recent, albeit delayed, communication efforts in Johannesburg.
In the capital, residents of Bezuidenhout Valley are demanding accountability following what they describe as the third suspected water contamination incident in their area this year. A warning for Bezuidenhout Valley was issued on a Sunday evening, while a precautionary warning was also issued for Parkhurst on a Tuesday.
“While things can be better, the increased communication we are seeing now is a lot better than what we’ve seen in past years,” Prof. du Plessis noted, emphasizing that municipalities must be transparent, accountable, and clear so that citizens can safely plan their lives.
Financial Strain and the Exploitation of Vulnerable Residents
The lack of contingency measures has exacerbated the crisis for everyday citizens. In Bezuidenhout Valley, despite municipal assurances that water tankers would be deployed, residents reported seeing no tankers on the ground. Consequently, households are being forced to drive to friends’ homes to collect water or purchase bottled water, adding heavy financial pressure.
More alarmingly, Prof. du Plessis warned of residents being exploited during these emergencies. In communities like Bronkhorstspruit, there have been reports of contractors arriving with municipal water tankers and demanding payment from residents to dispense the water.
Prof. du Plessis stressed that residents must be aware of their rights: water delivered by municipal tankers during a crisis must be provided free of charge. She urged communities to push back against this exploitation, noting that increased public awareness is already helping residents recognize and report these unfair practices.
Infrastructure Vandalism and Systemic Skills Shortages
Beyond contamination, the physical infrastructure of the water sector is under severe threat. Prof. du Plessis explained that vandalism and theft are major contributors to the country’s “non-revenue water” (water that is lost before it reaches the consumer).
At various wastewater treatment works, critical infrastructure—including steel, fittings, and valves—is frequently stolen. While she drew parallels to the sabotage of electrical transformers seen during the load-shedding era, she clarified that the water sector’s primary physical threats stem from theft and vandalism, which drastically worsens water losses.
Furthermore, systemic management issues persist. Prof. du Plessis pointed out a distinct lack of necessary skills and qualifications among staff at several municipal wastewater and water treatment works, complicating efforts to maintain safe water standards.
Community Action and Upcoming Protests
With the City of Johannesburg stretched thin regarding water tanker deployment due to widespread simultaneous outages, Prof. du Plessis advised affected residents to take proactive steps.
Areas such as Melville have experienced extended outages lasting up to six days, with Brixton and Bezuidenhout Valley also suffering prolonged disruptions. In response, planned water protests are scheduled to take place over the weekend in Mayfair.
For residents currently without water tankers, the expert recommends escalating the issue by communicating directly with their ward councilors or joining local water crisis committees. “With more and more people asking and highlighting it as an issue, most of the time the municipality will respond,” she advised, emphasizing that sustained public participation and pressure remain the most effective tools for holding local governments accountable.
