​Staff Writer
Premier Panyaza Lesufi says the Gauteng Provincial Government, working with the Department of Water and Sanitation, has established a war room with all provincial municipalities to monitor, resolve, and protect the water supply.
Gauteng is a water-scarce province facing increasing pressure on its water supply. 
The province has been experiencing water shortages due to high water loss from leaks, illegal connections, and excessive consumption. The Vaal Dam, a key water source, is steadily declining due to heatwaves, poor rainfall, drought, and pollution.
As an inland province with no significant natural water sources, Gauteng's water consumption currently exceeds 5000 megalitres daily- over 11% higher than the available supply and 60% above the world average.
Rand Water attributes this crisis to the province's rapidly growing population, which now stands at nearly 16 million people, leaks, illegal connections, ageing infrastructure, and electricity supply issues that slow reservoir refilling, putting immense pressure on the treated water supply.
In response, Premier said the provincial government, working with the national government and its entities, has been strengthening strategic water resource management initiatives, including wetland rehabilitation, river health monitoring, and groundwater protection.
Delivering his State of the Province Address (SOPA) in Tshwane on Monday, 24 February 2025, Premier Lesufi highlighted that, together with our municipalities and the Department of Water and Sanitation, a decision has been made to allow City Power to take over the electricity supply of the Eikenhof pumping station. On the other hand, Eskom will take over the Emfuleni pumping station.
"The power failures in these water pumping stations have led to the challenges of water depletion in our reservoirs. We are at an advanced stage to repair leaks and replace ageing pipes. Since this intervention, water has gradually come back to our homes," Premier Lesufi said, issuing a public apology. 
To address this situation, all municipalities were urged to continue water restrictions levels 1 and 2 and enforcement of by-laws to curb leaks in all public facilities and ensure adherence to restrictions, timeously attend to leaks, and remove illegal connections.  
Premier Lesufi added that the 37km Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) tunnel in Clarens, Free State, is being maintained and is scheduled to be completed in 2028.
 This requires massive upgrades to municipal infrastructure to ensure it can accommodate the additional water supply.