After weeks of water shortages in several parts of Johannesburg such as Soweto and Randburg, Joburg Water says they’re still far from being able to restore water to those areas.
The water shortages are due to a power outage earlier this month at the main Eikenhof pumping station resulting in water reservoirs breaking down and taps running dry.
The water entity held a media walkabout at three of their five water reservoir complexes in Northern Johannesburg as the water crisis persists during the extended heatwave in Gauteng.
It has been about 10 days since the people have lived without water in most parts of Johannesburg.
They have had to make means of collecting water. In some affected areas they have been assisted by a private company that volunteered to provide water tankers.
“We have been out of water since Friday the week before. It has been a long time. And with this heatwave that we are having, it is not helping anyone. We’ve got pets that are struggling, we are struggling. We cannot do laundry, we can’t shower, we can’t bath. So, it’s a problem.”
Frustrated residents says this has not been easy on them. In some instances they have to dig deep into their pockets to buy water.
One of the affected residents, Lesego Morokane says she is forced to visit friends who have not been affected by the crisis to have access to water.
“I have been making alternatives the entire time, visiting other friends as an alternative, but also buy water as well, because we have no choice. Electricity we can handle but water, there’s no substitute for water.”
Meanwhile, Joburg Water says they are working tirelessly to deal with the water crisis that hit most parts of Johannesburg in the high-lying areas. This was said during the Joburg Water systems tour in the north of Johannesburg today that intended on informing residents on how the water gets to the residents’ taps.
Joburg Water’s Gugulethu Quma says, “We studying the entire network from the model perspective and physically on the valve on the ground. There are teams that have worked on that and we are currently looking at the impact. We are now doing what we call interconnection but with the water system it’s quite complex because with water we need pressure, flow as well as gravity.”
There hasn’t been a specific time given when will water be fully restored.
Resident have called on Joburg Water to communicate more effectively.
