Finance · South Africa
South African Cities Lose Billions of Litres to Water Leaks
Moneyweb · 2026/03/16
Summary
South Africa is facing a serious water crisis as major cities lose huge amounts of water due to leaks. Johannesburg is losing about 35% of its water supply, while eThekwini (Durban) loses half of its water to leaks. This is a big problem because water is essential for homes, businesses, and daily life. If this trend continues, shortages will get worse, and more people will be affected. Fixing leaks and managing water better is crucial, but so far, progress has been slow. Businesses can no longer stand by and wait for government action—they need to take part in solving this crisis by investing in water-saving measures and promoting efficient use. Otherwise, the situation will keep getting worse, potentially increasing costs and hurting the economy.
OnABudget takeaway: For consumers and small businesses, this means water bills could rise as shortages grow. Investing in saving water and fixing leaks early can lower costs and prevent future problems.