Johannesburg: A joint working committee, spearheaded by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), is set to be established to address the electricity supply challenges impacting Rand Water's systems. These challenges have led to water disruptions in regions across Gauteng and the North West.
According to South African Government News Agency, this decision emerged from an urgent stakeholder meeting convened on Tuesday evening by Deputy Ministers David Mahlobo and Jack Bloom, at the request of Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina. The committee will comprise representatives from DWS, the Gauteng Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Rand Water, Johannesburg Water, City Power, Eskom, and other pertinent stakeholders.
The committee's primary task will be to formulate a response plan aimed at resolving the current electricity supply issues faced by Rand Water. Additionally, it will explore long-term solutions to secure a consistent electricity source for the utility. The proposed response plan will be presented to the intergovernmental structure chaired by the Gauteng Provincial Government.
The meeting also emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration between DWS, Rand Water, the Gauteng Provincial Government, and the City of Johannesburg. This collaborative effort seeks to mobilize communities and other societal sectors to conserve water and promote its judicious use, especially under the current circumstances.
The urgent gathering featured representatives from Rand Water, DWS, the Gauteng Provincial Government, the City of Johannesburg, City Power, Johannesburg Water, and Eskom. Discussions focused on ensuring a reliable electricity supply for Rand Water's systems and mitigating disruptions caused by intermittent power outages.
Key attendees included Electricity and Energy Minister Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, and City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dada Morero. Detailed reports from Rand Water and City Power highlighted the impact of recent power interruptions on Rand Water's supply systems, affecting areas such as Emfuleni, the City of Johannesburg, and West Rand municipalities in Gauteng, along with Madibeng and Rustenburg in North West.
Concerns were raised over the recurring electricity supply challenges affecting Rand Water's Eikenhof system, which has hindered its capacity to provide consistent water supplies to municipalities. In a joint statement, stakeholders highlighted the establishment of the joint working committee as a means to enhance coordination among government spheres, water entities, and electricity providers in tackling these challenges.
The stakeholders noted that the collaboration between affected parties has already led to improved coordination and planning, indicating progress in stabilizing water supply challenges, which need to be sustainably maintained. This meeting is part of ongoing efforts by the government and water sector stakeholders to stabilize water supply and bolster the reliability of critical infrastructure serving communities in Gauteng and neighboring areas.