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The launch of the City of Johannesburg’s (CoJ) Water Security Strategy on Tuesday was met with both praise and criticism, highlighting the city's ongoing challenges in addressing the water crisis.
Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda hailed the launch as a significant step forward, showcasing the city’s commitment to tackling the water crisis head-on.
Describing the strategy as a comprehensive framework, Gwamanda emphasised its role in safeguarding water resources, ensuring universal access to clean water and enhancing resilience against climate change impacts.
READ: 'It’s much more than a water crisis. It’s a national health crisis'
However, not everyone shares the mayor's optimism.
Anja du Plessis, an associate professor and water management expert at Unisa, expressed concerns after reviewing the strategy document.
She pointed out that many critical issues, identified as far back as 2022, have not received adequate attention.
Du Plessis remarked:
Gwamanda stressed the importance of water security in protecting public health, supporting economic activities, fostering environmental sustainability, and aligning with sustainable development goals.
READ: How a nursery school with more than 150 babies, toddlers coped for a week with no water
However, the current state of Johannesburg's water systems presents numerous challenges.
The 2022 document identifies the complexity of urban water system management, encompassing both physical and intangible aspects.
The city has categorised its systems into four key areas:
- Water Flows,
- Water Environment,
- Valuing Water, and
- Governance Structures.
The city said that this classification will streamline the understanding of issues and facilitate targeted remedial actions.
To ensure water security, the city aims to stabilise water availability, improve access and quality, and maintain a healthy urban environment.
Seven Strategic Response Goals have been outlined, each with specific actions to achieve these objectives.
Secure water supply
- Manage source water license allocation
- Diversify water supply sources
Manage Water demand
- Reduce end-user water demand
- Reduce water distribution losses
Ensure access to safe reliable and equitable water services
- Access to water supply and sanitation
- Access to flood protection
Promote resilient, liveable and sustainable urban water environment
- Sustain the system’s water quality
- Protect the ecosystem amenities
- Integrated infrastructure and innovations
Manage the water system’s knowledge and data
- Enable community of practice
- Collect & manage water data
Nurture a water-conscious society
- Increase water literacy
- Share water value & vision
Achieve coordinated good water governance
- Improve internal coordination
- Improve multi-stakeholder governance
- Finance water security
However, Du Plessis criticised the strategy's lack of innovation, noting that many proposed solutions have been discussed for years without tangible progress.
She emphasised:
She also criticised the delay between the strategy's conclusion in 2022 and its launch in 2024, citing it as evidence of the city's slow response to urgent water challenges.
Du Plessis highlighted the recurring water shortages in recent years, attributing them to a lack of planning and management.
She called for more proactive measures and a genuine commitment to improving water supply and infrastructure in Johannesburg.
READ: Joburg water crisis: Residents suffer due to poor planning, no maintenance and rising temperatures
While the Water Security Strategy represents a step forward, critics argue that it falls short in addressing the pressing water issues facing Johannesburg.
Urgent action and innovative solutions are needed to safeguard the city's water resources and ensure a sustainable future.
