South Africa is facing a water crisis that has forced authorities to reduce supplies to counter the high consumption.
Owing to the serious strain on water systems, this week Rand Water said it has now implemented Stage 1 of water curtailments to slow the high consumption.
Rand Water has also issued a warning that the use of water was now greater than supply.
South Africa ranks as one of the driest countries in the world.
“However, South Africa continues to be amongst the highest consumers of potable (clean) water despite the limited availability of this precious resource,” said Rand Water.
Municipalities have been urged to help deal with water shortages by attending to leaks and enforcing bylaws.
Communities are being urged to use water sparingly and change behaviour patterns that waste the resource.
Rand Water said residents can also do their bit to save water by reporting leaks and fixing any leaking taps or pipes on their homes.
Additionally, Rand Water said residents can save water by simply using the shower rather than a bath in a tub, using a bucket instead of a hosepipe to wash their cars, avoid filling the pool until the end of the month, and turning off taps when brushing teeth or shaving.
