WATER woes in Johannesburg have left hundreds of community members hopping mad. Some have had no water for almost three months.
Water shortages are currently being experienced in most parts of Gauteng, which has led to a number of service delivery protests.
“Water is a basic need, it is horrific that locals are denied access, hospitals, schools and businesses are not spared as some of them had to rely on water supply from government in order to function,” one resident said.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi recently urged residents to use water sparingly, as shortages have worsened in several municipalities. All municipalities were directed to implement level 1 restrictions. Authorities said this is to stop what they said, over consumption and to allow maintenance work.
“Our taps have been dry since last Thursday, we were told that water would be restored as soon as maintenance is completed however we still do not have water. We are forced to push wheelbarrows and collect water from tanks provided. We have toilets inside our homes, the smell is unpleasant, when we voted, we were promised a better life. This situation is unacceptable," said Luzuko Green, a resident of Johannesburg,
Rand Water recently warned the province about high water consumption and instructed municipalities to impose daily limits.
Rand Water spokesperson, Makenosi Maroo said the entity has noticed that there are leaks within the municipal systems.
“We are losing an average of over 40% water through leaks in Gauteng,” she said.
The DA on Wednesday demanded urgent action and they took to the streets to protest for water in Johannesburg, they handed a memorandum to the City of Johannesburg's Executive Mayor.
DA Johannesburg Caucus Leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku said the City’s water plan is a long-term plan, with no short-term relief for struggling residents, businesses, and water users across the City whose taps run dry or run intermittently.
“The fact that 22 reservoirs in the City have leaks is a serious concern, and shows how badly infrastructure collapse has been allowed under the ANC/EFF/ActionSA coalition. It is more concerning that it took so long for these leaks to be detected, and more concerning that there is not a clear short-term plan of action to repair them,” said Kayser-Echeozonjoku.
He stated that residents of Johannesburg may have to wait until February 2025 for any action to be taken.
“This, as we enter some of the warmest months of the year. There is no clear plan, nor schedule for water tankers that are supposed to service hundreds of thousands of people in areas like Coronationville, Newclare, Melville and Auckland Park,” said Kayser-Echeozonjoku.
He said Joburg Water’s plan, as they pointed out, includes the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and City Power without any clear indication of the actual work that they will be doing.
“We fear that the residents of Johannesburg have yet again had to endure another talk shop, with no actual changes. In line with the DA concerns raised with the Executive Mayor, we call on Joburg Water to outline, in detail, the integrated response to the water crisis.
“Joburg does not need grand long-term plans, but immediate relief, and an immediate plan to keep water flowing. Today we have a long term vision, but nothing to address the water crisis we face today,” said Kayser-Echeozonjoku.s
Johannesburg Water said it notes the anxiety and concern around water supply issues in some parts of the city, namely but not limited to: Westbury, Westdene, Melville, Auckland Park, Emmarentia, Sophiatown, Coronationville, Claremont and Crown Gardens.
“The Entity is working with affected ward councillors and has been providing alternative water supply and will continue for all the impacted areas. Johannesburg Water continues to monitor all systems in its network; it is evident that some of the systems are unable to meet the demand, despite current reconfiguration interventions,” said Johannesburg Water in a statement.
They said the following systems are under close monitoring: Crosby reservoir: In flow has improved, with the level remaining stable and both pumps are running. Brixton reservoir: Adequately supplied and is stable. There is one pump running. The Brixton tower is currently low but receiving supply. Hursthill 1: is on bypass and dependent on inflow.
Hursthill 2: is currently empty. Linden 1: is currently low with the tower empty. Linden 2: Has satisfactory capacity and supplying normally. As part of tonight’s reconfiguration, Linden 2 inlet will be closed, in order to augment supply to Linden 1. Waterval tower: Has good capacity. Quellerina: Has satisfactory capacity. Crown Gardens: It has stabilised and is supplying normally. Corriemoor: Supply is augmented to boost capacity. Although supply is being received, it is very gradual. Fairlands: Corriemore reservoir supplies the Fairlands reservoir. As Corriemore improves, Fairlands will also improve. Midrand systems Erand 1: Has improved and is currently supplying the Erand tower which is at very good levels.
Saturday Star