Joburg Water: Dry taps due to 'high consumption, infrastructure, population growth'
Johannesburg Water says an infrastructure backlog, population growth, and high water consumption during the spring season are to blame for the erratic water supply in the city.
Several reservoirs in the city have been impacted by power failures at the Zuikerbosch plant and Palmiet pump station, which has impacted water supply to numerous areas.
The city's water entity officials briefed the media on Tuesday on the current state of its water reservoirs and tower levels.
The city's networks manager, Logan Munsamy, said the problems are a result of various challenges experienced by Rand Water’s bulk infrastructure.
"On 14 September 2023, Rand Water noticed increasing consumption on customer meters in the Eikenhof system. This increase placed strain on the system, and as a result, Rand Water was unable to maintain its reservoirs at high capacity.
“All Rand Water primary and secondary stations operated at their maximum capacity as guided by the Raw Water Abstraction License.
“Reservoir levels were, however, at their lowest, resulting in supply pressures being low and high-lying areas having low to no water supply. Due to the system being integrated, even customers who were using water sparingly were being affected," said Munsamy.
Munsamy has warned that high water consumption could result in a collapse of the Rand Water bulk supply system, which will result in intermittent water supply.
The city has flagged systems that remain under immense strain.
"This includes South Hills tower and pump station, Crown Gardens, Commando System, Naturena, Midrand system, Alexander Park, as well as the Sandton/ Illovo reservoir system.
“Johannesburg Water is largely unable to pump, and residents in these supply zones are receiving intermittent to no water supply.”
He said the entity has deployed a total of 50 roaming water trucks and 56 water tanks.
"While this may not replace potable water, this is how the entity is ensuring residents have a regular water supply. Joburg Water is also pumping water into the roof tanks of the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital to ensure the facility has an adequate water supply.”
The Helen Joseph Hospital is being fed directly through the tower system.
" There is an infrastructure backlog; infrastructure requires funding, and it is not always easy to get funding. The population growth in Johannesburg is also at an all-time high. The City of Johannesburg is where a lot of people flock during a short period of time, so the influx of people further put strain on the system," said Munsamy.
He said while the system is not collapsing, it is unclear how long it will take until the water is fully restored.
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