Rand Water starts refilling its reservoirs
Rand Water has confirmed that its pumps are up-and-running once again from early on Wednesday morning, following the fire at the Eikenhof substation in the south of Johannesburg.
Reservoirs are filling up after power was restored.
The water supply was cut to several areas in southern and western Johannesburg, the West Rand and Rustenburg in the North West, due to the loss of power on Monday afternoon.
ALSO READ: Electricity could be restored by this evening, says City Power
Rand Water spokesperson Justice Mohale says technicians are waiting for water levels to rise before opening the taps.
"Rand Water must fill its own reservoirs first. The water level has to be between 60-90% before we could release water to the municipality's network."
Johannesburg Water was forced to close the taps to three reservoirs that ran dry on Tuesday, leading to water shortages over 50 % of the city.
ALSO READ: Eikenhof substation ablaze
Mohale says affected residents can expect water in their taps by midday Wednesday.
City Power has confirmed that the repairs to the substation in south of Johannesburg are nearing completion.
Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba believes the fire that broke out was caused by sabotage.
ALSO READ: VIDEO | Mashaba: Eikenhof substation fire ‘sabotage’
City Power spokesperson, Isaac Mangena could not confirm the cost of repairing the substation, saying officials will return on Wednesday for a full assessment of the damage.