Gauteng must cut water consumption by 40% to avoid worsening shortages, according to Department of Water and Sanitation director general Sean Phillips. He warned that demand is pushing up against available supply, leaving little margin for system failures.

Phillips said high consumption, leaks, and infrastructure strain are driving the risk, while new supply from the Second Phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project will only arrive later in the decade. Until then, sharper demand reductions are unavoidable.