Water utility Rand Water on Thursday warned of “extremely” high water consumption by municipalities, urging users to use water sparingly.

The utility, which abstracts, purifies and sells bulk wholesale water to all municipalities in Gauteng and parts of Mpumalanga, the Free State and the North West, said that Gauteng municipalities account for the highest volumes.

Municipalities have been allocated specific quotas of the water produced by Rand Water systems in line with the abstraction limits set by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

While Rand Water continues to pump and supply at maximum capacity, the percentage of total reservoir capacity has been declining significantly since August 22, owing to high-water withdrawals by municipalities.

About 77% of water produced is supplied to the cities of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, in Gauteng.

The City of Johannesburg is consuming 1 701-million litres of water a day, well above the target of 1 356-million litres a day, while the City of Tshwane is consuming 926-million litres a day, higher than the targeted quota of 667-million litres a day.

This upward trend in consumption is placing the sustainability of the system at risk, Rand Water has warned.

The City of Ekurhuleni’s consumption remains stable at 1 018-million litres a day, in line with its quota of 1 022-million litres, with water conservation efforts yielding positive results.

In the Emfuleni local municipality, which is experiencing rising water losses owing to aging infrastructure, the water consumption is at 313-million litres a day, well above its target of 239-million litres.

Consumption of 102-million litres a day from Mogale City remains above its permanent licensed target of 93-million litres, while Midvaal consumption of 33-million litres, although showing a positive trend towards the licensed targeted quota of 28-million litres a day, is starting to show a negative upward shift.

The Merafong and Rand West municipalities are consuming well below their allocated quotas of 86-million litres and 91-million litres of water, respectively, with current consumption rates of a respective 63-million and 75-million litres a day.

Lesedi municipality is consuming 25-million litres, above its target of 23-million litres a day.

In the Free State, consumption is generally low and mostly in line with the allocation.

The municipalities have performed well over the years and do not pose any risk to the systems instability, Rand Water pointed out.

In the North West, Rustenburg is consuming 75-million litres, which is above the target of 68-million litres.

The Royal Bafokeng Administration, while not a standalone municipality and recognised as an independent customer within the Rustenburg local municipality, has been consuming above its target of 10-million litres a day. However, over the last few weeks, it has recorded a decrease to seven-million litres a day owing to reduced supply from the Magalies System.

The Madibeng local municipality, meanwhile, is consuming 11-million litres, which is above its target of eight-million litres a day.

In Mpumalanga, Rand Water provides water services to three local municipalities, namely Govan Mbeki, Victor Khanye and Thembisile Hani.

Govan Mbeki’s consumption of 95-million litres remains below the allocated quota of 106-million litres a day, while Victor Khanye is consuming 17-million litres a day, in line with its target.

Thembisile Hani, with a quota of 31-million litres, has a consumption rate of 32-million litres a day.

“Rand Water therefore calls on all the over-consuming customers to reduce their consumption in line with allocations to avoid system collapse which will inevitably affect other customers as well. The water systems are interlinked and high consumption in one area impacts on the sustainable provision in other areas,” Rand Water concluded, noting that water conservation is a joint responsibility that must be observed and practiced by all to ensure sustainable and equitable supply to customers.