Africa-Press – South-Africa. After a few days of sunny weather, Johannesburg’s water reticulation is once again under pressure, with residents experiencing low water pressure or no water in several major areas in the metro.
Rand Water, the entity that cleans and supplies water to the city, and Johannesburg Water, which provides the bulk water to residents, issued a joint statement on Sunday blaming residents for the problem.
According to the statement, the water system could collapse as high consumption by residents was keeping reservoirs and towers at low to empty.
Monday’s water report by Johannesburg Water saw a slight improvement in some areas.
Hursthill 2 Reservoir has seen slight improvements to the Montgomery, Albertville, Westbury, Northcliff, Greymont, Coronationville and Triomf areas.
Water levels have improved in Parktown, but demand is still high. The Dunkeld Reservoir is still on bypass for maintenance, which should be completed at the end of the week.
Most of the taps in Midrand will be dry, and water is critically low in Southgate, Mondeor, Devland, Eikenhof, Naturena, Alan Manor, Meredale, Comptonville, Armadale, Rivasdale, Baragwanath and Elias Motsoaledi, which are supplied by the Eagle Nest Reservoir.
The Alexander Park Reservoir is seeing a downward trend in potable water supply. The reservoir supplies Kensington, Benrose, Heriotdale, Denver, De Wetshof, The Gardens, Malvern, Cleveland, Elcedes, and Wychwood.
On Monday, DA Gauteng health spokesperson Jack Bloom warned Helen Joseph and Rahima Moosa Mother and Child hospitals were at risk of increased spreading of infection and disease during the water outages.
These hospitals are fed by the Crosby water system, which forms part of the ailing Commando System.
The Commando System is usually the first to suffer under water stress because the areas supplied are highly populated and placed in the highest part of the city.
Bloom said lack of water would also affect surgeries and exacerbate backlogs.
“With the latest water cuts, the toilets became smelly, and relatives had to bring in water when visiting their loved ones.”
He added Pholosong Hospital on the East Rand had also been affected by water cuts since last week when Rand Water reservoirs ran low, while Edenvale Hospital had a water shortage because of a burst internal pipe at the beginning of the month.
Johannesburg Water systems Monday morning update
South Hills Tower
The tower is supplying normally, and levels have improved and are stable. Consumers in low-lying areas are asked to reduce consumption to increase capacity.
Commando System
Crown Gardens reservoir and towers
Reservoir level is critically low, and the outlet has been opened at 50%. Poor pressure to no water may be experienced in high-lying area. The towers have recovered. Customers are still urged to reduce consumption.
Parktown 2 Reservoir
Water levels have improved but demand is still high.
Dunkeld Reservoir
The reservoir is still on bypass mode due to maintenance purposes. Reservoir is expected to be back in operation at the end of the week. Supply should be normal because supply from the Parktown 2 Reservoir is healthy. However, during peak times in the mornings and evenings, supply pressure may be reduced.
Eagles Nest Reservoir
Remains critically low due to poor supply and high demand. Customers should expect low pressure to no water and are requested to reduce consumption to help build capacity.
Alexander Park Reservoir
Critically low and on a downward trend due to poor supply and high demand. Poor pressure to no water conditions are expected in high-lying areas, especially during peak times in the morning and evenings. Customers are requested to reduce consumption.
Linden 1 Tower
Water levels are slowly improving; however, low pressure to no water is still expected due to it supplying a high demand area.
Midrand systems
Deep South update
Despite daily interventions to build capacity, the systems in this region remain critically low. They remain constrained due to low supply and high demand. The opening and closing of the reservoir outlets are in place at predetermined intervals.
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