By Craig Sheen
South Africa is a water scarce country. In other words it has an excess of demand over available supply. It also has low water security – the ability to ensure sustainable access to good quality water. The country’s economic hub and biggest population centre, Gauteng province, has suffered sequential water crises that have been a blend of both factors, combined with some others, such as a lack of maintenance.
Caroline Southey from The Conversation Africa put questions to Craig Sheridan, the director of the Centre in Water Research and Development at the University of the Witwatersrand, about the creation of a new platform, or dashboard, that features up-to-date information about the Integrated Vaal River System, which feeds the region. The aim is to keep residents informed and authorities accountable.
What’s behind Gauteng’s ongoing water crises?
There are four main pressure points that are affecting water security in Gauteng. They are:
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