Joburg restrictions remain, for now

The Vaal Dam levels as at 25 February were at 94,86 per cent, according to Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane, but until she lifts the notice leading to municipalities implementing water restrictions, level-2 water restrictions remain.

On 27 February, Johannesburg Water tweeted that the Vaal dam levels reached 100 per cent, a first in six years. The sluice gates were opened, and plans were in place for flooding down stream.

The entity’s spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene, however, said that they are waiting for the minister to officially lift the notice in the government gazette to reduce supply from the Integrated Vaal River System for urban use by 15 per cent, given last year.

But she said she thanked the people of Gauteng for their efforts in helping save water by adhering to the restrictions placed. Restrictions to Gauteng municipalities will now be lifted, but Chuene said processes need to be followed. “We are waiting for the official notice, then we will inform residents,” she said.

Until then, restrictions remain. And even after the national government lifts the restrictions imposed on municipalities, the Johannesburg water utility might still decide to have their restrictions remain according to the Water Services Bylaw.

Revised level-2 water restrictions, as they are currently:

• No use of any irrigation or sprinkler systems for watering of gardens with municipal water. Watering only before 6am or after 6pm with a handheld hosepipe
• No filling of pools with municipal water. Top up to allow filter to work only. It is recommended that pool owners invest in a cover, as this significantly reduces evaporation – which is at over 1.2 metres per year for the average pool
• No washing of cars and cleaning paved areas with a hosepipe using municipal water.

Read: Water Wednesday: No Cyclone Dineo but dam levels are up