Johannesburg residents have done little to reduce their water usage or adhering to the Level 2 water restrictions that were introduced, following the low levels of water at dams because of the current drought.
According to Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Environment and Infrastructure Services department, Anthony Still, Johannesburg Water will now implement severe restrictions to ensure that the set target of reducing water consumption by 15 per cent is reached. Still said water throttling will be implemented, meaning that the outflow of water from reservoirs and water towers will be reduced, thereby reducing the flow and pressure of water.
“The insufficient decrease in water consumption in the City so far indicates a lack of appreciation for the precarious position the City and region are in,” Still said.
Read: Joburg Water escalate water restrictions
Residents who will feel the pinch are those living in high-lying areas as already experienced in some suburbs in Roodepoort over the past few days. Residents in those suburbs were without water and the acting Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Johannesburg Water, Etienne Hugo rubbished reports that the City was shedding supply in some of those suburbs. Hugo explained that when water demand is high, suburbs in high-lying areas will experience reduced water pressure, which at times can mean that no water will flow from taps. To avert this situation, Hugo said residents need to be considerate at all times when using water.
He reiterated a call for residents to reduce their water consumption to avert a situation where Level 3 restrictions (which entails water rationing), will be implemented. “This is undesirable as it would cause wide-scale water service disruption and extensive damage to the water infrastructure, which can result in significant water losses,” Still explained.
Read: Have you checked your water footprint?
The MMC urged residents to comply with the following Level 2 water restrictions under section 44 (3) of the Water Services Bylaw:
- No use of any irrigation or sprinkler systems for watering of gardens with municipal water. Watering is allowed before 6am or after 6pm, with a hand-held 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.
- No washing of cars and cleaning paved areas with a hose pipe, using municipal water.
Metro police will continue to issue fines and notices to transgressors, and residents have been encouraged to police each other.
Water saving tips:
- Don’t leave taps dripping
- Take shallow baths
- Use bathwater or ‘grey water’ to water the garden.
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