Ekurhuleni’s 59-hour water outage: Here’s your survival guide

More than 50 suburbs in the Ekurhuleni district will be slapped with a water outage for a whopping 59-hours while Rand Water carries out major maintenance work.

Maintenance will commence from 6pm on Friday, 26 May, and should hopefully be wrapped by 3pm on Monday, 29 May.

Yes, you read that right, 59 hours.

Ekurhuleni pipeline repairs

Rand Water will tie-in the M9 pipeline to the existing M8 pipeline, in order to improve the provision of water to the Brakpan Reservoir.

The reservoir feeds five municipal districts – Ekurhuleni, Victor Khanye, Govan Mbeki, Lesedi and Winkelhaak Mines local districts.

Prep for 59-hour water outage

That’s over two days of dry taps. But we’ve got you covered with a survival guide to keep you thriving and high-fiving, even without H2O.

Stock up

First thing’s first, folks. Stock up on drinking water.

Whether it’s bottled water, jugs filled from the tap, water coolers, ensure you have enough water on standby for drinking and cleaning.

Make a list of all those water-dependent activities, from that morning cuppa joe to brushing your teeth before bed.

And don’t forget about your pets.

Beauty of backup plans

If you have a rainwater tank or a large container, put it to good use.

While water stored in these containers would not be potable, it could still be a lifesaver when it comes to flushing toilets or watering your pot plants.

Just remember not to drink or cook with it unless you treat it first.

READ: How to clean your drinking water during a cholera outbreak

Wet Wipes all the way

If you’ve been wondering when your hoard of wet wipes will come in handy, this is it.

Wet wipes are perfect for keeping fresh during the water outage.

They’re a quick and easy way to wipe down surfaces, clean your hands, and even freshen up if a shower isn’t an option – without the use of water.

Food preparation

Fancy a water-free meal prep challenge? Opt for foods that require little to no water to prepare.

Your go-to here would be canned goods, fresh fruits, salads, and sandwiches. Or a braai! But prepare your pap in advance.

READ: Creamy mushroom pap with grilled pork chops

Remember, every drop counts!

While this 59-hour water outage might seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be a disaster. Good luck! And may the odds be ever in your favour.