Water demand management and losses in Garankuwa and Mabopane, South Africa

Abstract

This study attempted to address possible solutions to water demand management for the improvement of efficient use of a given volume of water while increasing water access to new users; application of water demand management tools both at the utility and end-user sides; and managing water losses in the distribution network which is a critical aspect of water demand management. The research was conducted in Garankuwa and Mabopane supplied by ODI Water Services in South Africa. This paper describes water resources in South Africa, water demand management tools in place and water supply to the ODI Water Services. It further presents data for the total purchases of water from Rand water and the final billed water at the utility, and water consumption patterns during the period of July to December 2009. This included attempts made to identify and quantify water losses in Garankuwa and Mabopane during the same period. Suggestions were made on how water losses can be reduced. In Garankuwa and Mabopane it was discovered that human perceptions on water demand management and water wastage through unaccounted-for-water together with the indigenous knowledge systems for the management of natural resources need to be altered as the country is water stressed.