5 ways to handle water rationing: business and home

According to Statistics South Africa’s General Household Survey 2024, 55.2% of households experienced water interruptions in 2024, and 33.7% reported interruptions that lasted at least two days. That makes this a current risk-management topic for both home insurance and business insurance customers.

Unfortunately, in terms of insurance, drought, water rationing and the withholding of water by authorities are not usually insured as stand-alone events. Where cover may respond is when there is secondary damage — for example, fire, burst pipes or flood damage after pressure changes or restoration events — provided the relevant protective measures were in place. This is why it is important to understand how your home insurance, buildings insurance or business insurance works, and what steps you should take before a problem turns into a claim.

• In the event that water rationing is introduced, ensure that all taps are turned off in your household or business premises. This helps reduce the risk of flooding when supply returns unexpectedly or pressure changes suddenly. For businesses, it also protects stock rooms, service areas and shared facilities from avoidable water damage.

• Consult a pool expert and get advice on whether it is advisable to empty your pool. In many cases, a pool should not simply be drained because hydrostatic pressure, cracking or shell movement can create bigger problems. The best approach is often to maintain the pool correctly, use appropriate covers, and document the advice you receive in case you later need support from your insurer.

• Switch off your geyser if there is no water flowing into the system. A dry-heating element can burn out and turn an outage into a repair bill. This is especially important for homeowners, landlords and small businesses with kitchens, guest facilities, staff ablutions or change rooms. If you own the building, make sure your buildings insurance details are up to date and that permanent fixtures are correctly disclosed.

• Ensure that fire detection and/or sprinkler systems are updated, tested and compliant. If a fire occurs while municipal supply is compromised, non-functioning systems can increase the severity of loss. Businesses should confirm testing cycles, keep records, and make sure maintenance is carried out by qualified professionals. This is one of the clearest ways that prevention and business insurance work together.

• Make sure electrical connections and plumbing are completed and approved by registered professionals. Temporary fixes done during water interruptions can increase the risk of fire, leakage, or later failure. Keep invoices, compliance certificates and maintenance records. If damage does occur, quick reporting and good documentation can make the claim process smoother for both home insurance and business insurance customers.

South Africa’s broader water-risk context also reinforces why this matters. The Department of Water and Sanitation notes in its 2023 national water-security reporting that approximately 41% of municipal water is non-revenue water, while average physical losses in municipal systems are estimated at around 35%. Department of Water and Sanitation That means households and businesses should treat water interruptions and pressure-related damage as an ongoing preparedness issue, not a one-off event.

Most importantly, contact MiWay to check whether you are covered and what supporting documents you may need should you have to claim. You can review your cover, update your details, or submit a claim if an insured secondary event occurs. For customers planning resilience upgrades such as alternative water supply, it is also worth reading MiWay’s guide to borehole compliance and insurance.

Want cover that works for your property, your business and the realities of modern South African risk? Explore MiWay’s business insurance and home insurance options, check that your details are current, and speak to MiWay before the next outage turns into avoidable damage.