Joburg Water implements targeted water restrictions
Johannesburg Water says it will be restricting water supply overnight to areas around Deep South, Soweto, Central Johannesburg, Midrand and Randburg.
These restrictions are prompted by a need to curb water usage on some of the city's reservoir sites that are experiencing high consumption.
Joburg Water's Tidimalo Chuene says the intention is to reduce escalating water consumption since the announcement of water restrictions by the Department of Water and Sanitation.
"Johannesburg is still under level 2 water restrictions despite the recent rainfall. Water levels at the Integrated Vaal River system have not risen sufficiently to above satisfactory levels," says Chuene.
Chuene says technicians will be closing outlet valves of selected reservoirs from 8.00pm - 4.00am, resulting in no water supply at all during these times.
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"This is a method that we have successfully used to stabilise supply in areas around Lenasia, Northcliff, Fairlands and Blackheath, which were struggling with supply in November 2016. One other factor that contributed to our success in these areas is consumers who have since reduced their consumption significantly," says Chuene.
Chuene says the Johannesburg Metro Police Department is still monitoring wasteful water use and has thus far issued a total of 665 fines to consumers found contravening the Water Services By-law.
"Consumers are urged to continue reporting non-compliance by phoning the JMPD 24/7 line: 011 758 9650," says Chuene.