Water woes continue
High temperatures and the lack of rain elevated the challenge to supply water.
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – Water shortages experienced in certain southern suburbs is set to continue due to the high temperature and increasing demand for water.
According to Rand Water the persistent high temperatures continue to put a strain on the water supply system, and the lack of rainfall further worsens the situation and makes it difficult for residents of the South to receive water.
Residents complained about the lack of water on Saturday, November 7, thinking it was just a bump in the road until they realised the situation was worsening as more and more suburbs became affected. PR Clr Tyrell Meyers informed the CHRONICLE on Tuesday, November 9, that there were challenges filling up water reservoirs and that the challenges could last the entire week. He later advised residents of the South, through the CHRONICLE’s Facebook page and website, that there would be water tankers dispatched at Forest Hill Primary School and the South Rand Hospital in The Hill.
Clr Faeeza Chame, who was seen helping residents in her ward fetch water from water tankers said: “This is very very unfortunate because some of our schools had to send learners home. This happens at a time when they are writing their exams. I am concerned about the elderly in the old age homes and the mothers who just had babies. There are not enough tankers distributed and not enough refilling being done as the tankers run empty in seconds”.
Iqbal Omarjee, a farmer, brought about 500 litres from his farm and shared the water with the community at Kimberly Road on Wednesday, November 11, and Thursday, November 12.
According to Anna Cox from the Star some water tankers have been stolen including the one in Crown Gardens.
By Thursday, November 12, at 13:55, Clr Sergio dos Sandos informed the CHRONICLE that the water supply in Ridgeway, Crown Gardens, Winchester Hills and parts of Robertsham seemed to be back to normal, while Ormonde, Evans Park, Booysens and Robertsham continued to be without water.
Rand Water advises residents to use water sparingly by taking showers of less than five minutes, to turn off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving, only doing a full load of washing when using the washing machine, to water gardens before 6:00 or after 18:00 and only for a short period, to sweep paving with a broom instead of washing it with water, and to apply mulch to gardens.
