Since 1903, Rand Water has been a bulk water supplier to the Gauteng area. In recent years, we have responded to social and political change by choosing to operate beyond our traditional role as a bulk supplier. Now, more than ever, we face the challenge of providing accessible and affordable water to everybody in our area of supply.

Our message to consumers is that water is precious and scarce. If we all work together in the spirit of 'Izandla ziyagezana' (‘One hand washes the other’), to pay for water and use it wisely, we can all contribute to the task of managing water for the future.

At present, South Africa is classified as a water-stressed country as we have less than 1 700 cubic metres of water for each person per year. If we don’t learn how to use our limited supplies wisely, we will move into a water-scarcity category of less than 1 000 cubic metres per person per year by 2025.

During almost a hundred years of service, Rand Water has built a solid reputation for delivering high quality, potable water to its bulk consumers. In simple terms, Rand Water can be said to be a ‘wholesaler’ of potable water.

In the last financial year, Rand Water delivered +-963 965 megalitres of water to local authorities, large industries and mines. This translates to an annual average daily quantity of 3400 mega-litres. (This is 3400 million litres per day)

Rand Water buys its raw water from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) and draws it from the Vaal Dam, supplied by the Katse, Sterkfontein, Grootdraai and Woodstock Dam. It is then filtered and cleaned at two purification plants. The largest of these is Zuikerbosch, which includes one of the largest purification plants in the Southern Hemisphere.

During purification, 600 to 1 000 tons of fine silt are removed from the river water daily and 9 000 tons of slaked lime are used in the purification process each month. After cleaning and disinfecting, the raw water is delivered to Local Authorities reservoirs and Rand Water reservoirs for domestic, industrial and public use by about 10 million people in a 18 000 km2 supply area.

In addition to its core business of supplying potable water, Rand Water has diversified into other areas to fulfill its responsibilities towards the communities it serves.

These activities include: Assisting local Authorities and consumers to reduce communities’ water costs by fixing leaks in old or damaged infrastructure and promoting water-saving devices such as dual-flush toilets and aerated showerheads. Safeguarding future supply through monitoring the environment and managing the catchment area through projects which improve the quality and quantity of raw water sources. This includes removing ‘thirsty’ alien plants, rehabilitating wetlands, controlling pollution and reducing erosion. In this manner securing water quality for human consumption. Helping improve delivery of water and sanitation services by working with various tertiary education bodies to train Local Authorities officials in the skills needed for successful public and private partnerships. Rand Water has established a range of Forums to address the different needs in making water wisely and to ensure sustainable water delivery.

In all its operations, Rand Water strives to support the message that the wise use of water will result in water saving. Safeguarding the most effective way of ensuring that our water supplies can sustain our growing population and economy into the future.