Stage 6 load shedding, heat wave impacting Joburg & Tshwane water supply
Gauteng water supply has been hit by a triple whammy of stage 6 load shedding, ageing infrastructure and a heat wave in the province.
Johannesburg and Tshwane have already implemented stage 1 water restrictions in an effort to conserve the resource.
City of Tshwane spokesperson Sipho Stuurman says high-lying areas such Laudium and Waterkloof Ridge are likely to be affected.
"Even though we have asked residents to work to limit water usage, as we are in a water scarce area and already at level 1 water restrictions, I want to ask residents to please be particularly mindful of this risk right now. The summer heat has increased water usage and we need to be careful during this time."
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Joburg Water has echoed the call, with spokesperson Puleng Mopeli saying the city's towers are taking a strain.
"Johannesburg Water infrastructure is faced with several challenges, including an increase in water demand due to the heatwave, as well as stage 6 load shedding. Although some of our critical sites are exempted from load shedding, the entity is managing this through backup systems. However, our towers are taking a strain. In order to maintain a steady water supply, we urge residents to please observe level 1 water restrictions and reduce consumption."
Last week, Eskom implemented stage 6 load shedding due to a lack of generation capacity.
