CoE partners with Rand Water to resolve water crisis
In a high-level meeting held between the City and Rand Water, the parties confirmed that there was a need to normalise or attempt to normalise the situation as a matter of urgency.
The City of Ekurhuleni and Rand Water have agreed to work together in dealing with the current water situation in the region.
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In a high-level meeting held between the City and Rand Water, the parties confirmed that there was a need to normalise or attempt to normalise the situation as a matter of urgency.
“Leading the city’s delegation was Mayor Tania Campbell, MMC for Water and Energy Senzi Sibeko and the city manager Dr Imogen Mashazi.
“Rand Water was led by the chairperson of the board Ramateu Monyokolo and the CEO Sipho Mosai,” said city spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini.
He added that the main reasons for the current situation were identified as load-shedding and the recent heat wave which resulted in more water demand thus depleting the reserves.
“The parties resolved that the key to the current situation was dealing with the issue of water conservation and also attending to increasing water storage capacity on both sides as a form of water security.
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“The parties further agreed that there was a need for better communication between them so that communities are kept informed about the situation at every given time,” Dlamini said.
There was also a view the teams need to revisit the protocols employed by stakeholders in dealing with the drought of 2015/16 for best practice handling of the current situation.
“Communities in Ekurhuleni’s high-lying areas have been struggling with water supply for the past few weeks now. Some areas have had low water pressure while others simply had no water at all,” Dlamini said.
He said the city has been providing water tankers to these areas to mitigate the threat.
“Since the 2014/15 financial year, the City of Ekurhuleni has invested millions in new and additional reservoirs including the biggest water tower in Africa, which is based in Benoni, as a water security measure.
“The city has also made major gains in dealing with the issue of non-revenue water and water leaks,” said Dlamini.
