According to Themba Gadebe, metro spokesperson, a government gazette notice published on August 12 instructed water boards and municipalities to reduce their abstraction of water from the Integrated Vaal River System.
“This is due to prolonged drought conditions over the past few years that have put the system under severe pressure,” said Gadebe.
“Residents and business are urged to use water sparingly and refrain from any irrigation activities between the hours of 6am in the morning and 6pm in the evening.
“No filling of swimming pools from the municipal water supply will be permitted nor the use of hosepipes and sprinklers for watering, washing cars or cleaning outdoor areas.
“The metro will implement fines in terms of the municipal bylaws for all those founds to be contravening these restrictions.
“We will soon announce additional water restrictions as well as the punitive tariff that will be applied.
“Residents throughout the metro may also have already started experiencing low water pressure as a result of pressure management initiated by the metro since last week Tuesday.
“This means that upper floors may experience situations of very little or no water.
“Ekurhuleni assures its residents that all water reduction measures will be implemented in a responsible manner.
“To respond adequately to water leaks, the metro has increased capacity to respond to complaints laid by the public. Members of the public are requested to report leaks with EMM call centre and obtain a reference number. ”
He said replacement of aged water infrastructure will be treated with utmost urgency.
“The metro will further apply zero tolerance to illegal connection of water. ”
Residents are encouraged to continue reporting water service related interruptions through the municipal call center on 086 054 3000 and through social media channels @EMM_Call_Centre and the City of Ekurhuleni’s Facebook page.
