Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

Water Scarcity South Africa

latest news & developments
Marikana residents (from left) Bonginkosi Mahlaba and his nieces, Mpilonhle Zitha and Ntoyenhle Mahlaba, push wheelbarrows to fetch water at Matshotshombeni section of the township, a kilometre away from the Marikana section where they live. (Photos: Bongane Motaung)
BIGGARSBERG WATER TREATMENT WORKS

Sewage flows in streets as KZN township faces water crisis

For six months, Sithembile township in Glencoe has been struggling with water shortages

  • Bongane Motaung
2 min read
A Rand Water team carries out planned maintenance at the Bergbron water utility in Johannesburg. (Supplied)
CAPE TOWN WATER SHORTAGES

Urban water crisis deepens as poor infrastructure, shortages and unpaid bills take a toll

Maintaining infrastructure, fixing leaks and better information sharing are the first crucial steps to fixing the mess

  • Sheree Bega
  • Lyse Comins
  • Ozayr Patel
16 min read
The borehole standpipe outside the Philangezwi daycare centre in Fakazi village, from which some of the residents get their water. (Tsoanelo Sefoloko)
BOREHOLE SOLUTIONS ETHEKWINI

eThekwini Ward 105 residents without running water for eight years

Residents say that since the area was shifted to the eThekwini municipality, water availability has worsened

  • Tsoanelo Sefoloko
3 min read
UMP Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Internalisation, Professor Aldo Stroebel and Chief Executive Officer of the WRC, Dr Jennifer Molwantwa, sign the MoU between the two institutions. The witnesses behind them are Dr Stanley Liphadzi (WRC), Dr Salmina Mokgethle (UMP), Dr Bongiwe Mcata (UMP), and Dr Naledi Nthite (UMP).
ARTICLE

WRC and UMP sign water and sanitation MoU

The agreement will help Mpumalanga province find sustainable solutions to its water challenges

  • Sabelo Richard Nkosi
13 min read
In many regions, human–water systems are already in a post-crisis state of failure. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy
CAN YOU DRINK TREATED SEWAGE WATER

South Africans must embrace drinking treated sewage water or risk severe shortages

Failing infrastructure and increased demand means Gauteng residents may soon have to rely on treated sewage to quench their thirst

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read