WATCH | Gauteng loses R14bn yearly through leaking water pipes

Deputy minister of water and sanitation Dr Jack Bloom says Gauteng is losing more than R14bn worth of water annually through leaking municipal pipes with Emfuleni leading in the losses.

Bloom was speaking on Tuesday during the Gauteng provincial workshop reviewing the draft Strategic Framework for Water and Sanitation Services.

🎥 Deputy Minister Dr Jack Bloom delivers opening remarks at the Gauteng Provincial Workshop reviewing the draft Strategic Framework for Water and Sanitation Services, held at Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg. @Sowetan1981 pic.twitter.com/KwY1t0BOrN— Michelle Banda (@MimieShana) October 27, 2026

The workshop brought together the department, municipalities and people and organisations in the water sector from across the province to review the draft framework and provide input before it is finalised.

The framework builds on the foundation laid in 2003, addressing today’s challenges including ageing infrastructure, rapid urbanisation, climate risks and service delivery gaps.

Bloom was speaking against the backdrop of Gauteng said to be losing about 431-billion litres of treated water annually through physical leaks, roughly equivalent to the amount supplied to the Western Cape in a year.

“Using Rand Water rates, the losses are valued at about R7bn, but the figure could exceed R14bn when municipal rates are considered,” said Bloom.

He said Gauteng loses about 49% of its treated water that does not generate income for municipalities, including losses from leaks, which are up from 42.5% in 2023/24.

He also said 20% or more is lost through physical leaking pipes.

According to Bloom, the figures vary across metros: “Johannesburg’s non-revenue water loss was estimated at 49%, with about 26% attributed to physical losses.

“Tshwane was estimated at 45%, with 34% lost physically, while Ekurhuleni [fared] better at around 30%, including 22% in physical losses. Emfuleni is the worst — more than 70% — and Mogale City more than 60%.”

He said the new framework sets a target to reduce non-revenue water to below 25% by 2035 and at least 30% of end-of-life pipelines, pumps and process units to be replaced by that year, while 80% of urban households should have smart meters by 2032.

“The framework seeks to shift the focus from simply installing taps and toilets to ensuring residents receive safe, reliable and sustainable services,” Bloom said.

“It also calls for public annual reporting by water service authorities on their progress, stronger oversight of municipal funding and greater investment in maintenance.”

Bloom said municipalities must stop treating infrastructure installation as the measure of success.

“We shouldn’t count water and sanitation infrastructure as the success,” he said. “We are only successful when every person experiences functioning, safe and reliable water and sanitation services.”

Bloom said the framework also proposes an independent economic regulator for water services, climate adaptation plans and stronger support for sanitation solutions in informal settlements.