It's hard to imagine how anyone can survive a day or two without water, let alone weeks. This however has been the lived reality of many residents of Gauteng's biggest metros – Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.

So bad is the situation, as we reported on Wednesday, that water tankers had to be placed in some of the province's hospitals after taps ran dry. We also reported how small businesses such as car washes that depend on water were forced to halt trading due to the shortages. Householders were also left frustrated and unable to carry out daily routines such as cooking and washing...