Johannesburg, South Africa is facing a severe water crisis, with more than a third of its water supply being lost due to burst pipes. The city’s water utility, Johannesburg Water, acknowledges the problem, citing old infrastructure as a major contributor.
Impact on Residents
Residents, like 17-year-old student Thandani Masangu, are feeling the effects of the water shortage. Masangu and his friend Raymond Maleka spent three hours searching for water, only to be told that there was not enough for their neighborhood.
Wealthier residents are taking matters into their own hands, drilling boreholes to access water. Albertus Lombaard of the Borehole Water Association estimates that 10,000 boreholes have been drilled in the past decade.
Government Response
The city’s water utility is aware of the problem, but progress has been slow. The National Treasury withheld funding from Johannesburg in July due to the city’s budgetary crisis. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) is facing criticism for its handling of the water crisis, with some residents expressing frustration and anger.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
