A water tanker in Bryanston on 2 October 2022. Key hospitals and consumers are currently experiencing little to no water supply. Photo: Twitter
Constant power trips at Rand Water’s Zuikerbosch purification plant has resulted in pump stations and reservoirs across Johannesburg being adversely affected.
Johannesburg Water said supply at the Commando Road meter, Rand Water direct feeds, Roodepoort, Central and Soweto systems has been drastically reduced.
This has left several Johannesburg Water reservoirs and towers with “critically low to empty” water levels.
Among these are “critical customers” Rahima Moosa and Helen Joseph hospitals. Water is currently being provided via mobile tankers to sustain their supply.
Two weeks ago, the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) called on government to exempt all hospitals from the intermittent bouts of load shedding.
The council said hospitals in the country were buckling under pressure due to the various stages of power outages implemented by Eskom. This had created more strain on a healthcare system already stretched too thin.
Tankers are also being provided to other areas affected by low water levels.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Stage 6 load shedding affecting water supply, says Joburg Water
Affected areas include:
Consumers have been urged to reduce consumption immediately. Those living in higher lying areas will likely experience low pressure and even no water, Johannesburg Water said.
Water supply is affected by load shedding due to pump stations requiring electricity.
Outages put pressure on water being pumped into towers, resulting in little to no water when electricity returns.
“Johannesburg Water requests customers reduce consumption, only using water for human and household needs, which will significantly assist in recover[ing] the affected systems.”
Level 1 water restrictions have been in place since 1 September, and continue until 31 March 2023.
ALSO READ: Gauteng heatwave: Residents warned to stay out of the sun and hydrate
Sandton residents have been warned that their water supply may be disrupted from Monday morning until 14 October.
This is owed to a planned interruption, Johannesburg Water said in a statement last week.
The following suburbs will be affected:
Johannesburg Water said the interruption would result in low water pressure and sometimes no water.
Another planned interruption will affect the suburbs of Rosebank, Parkwood, Saxonwold, Illovo, Melrose, Parkwood, Parktown North, Dunkeld west, Houghton, Birdhaven and Riviera on Tuesday, the utility warned.
This is due to a tie-in that needs to be completed and will completely throttle supply to residents.
NOW READ: Why Rand Water’s maintenance is a necessary evil
Compiled by Nica Richards. Additional reporting by Faizel Patel.
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.