Water woes: Brace for 40-hr shutdown, plus these unplanned interruptions

Rand Water announced a planned water shutdown in Johannesburg that will span nearly 40 hours – from 6pm on Thursday, 11 May, until 9am on Saturday, 13 May.

Here’s what you need to know

Planned water shutdown

Rand Water said the shutdown will affect residents in Winchester Hills and surrounding areas, including:

• Gillview
• Mondeor
• Suiderood
• Glenada

External communications officer at Johannesburg Water, Nolwazi Dhlamini, told the Southern Courier that a section of G20 pipeline will be re-attached.

In order to attach the newly-replaced section of the G20 pipeline to the existing shutdown, the water supply will suspended.

Dlhamini said alternative water supply will be arranged for residents in the affected areas, and Rand Water will communicate the details of the arrangement in due course.

Unplanned interruption

Technicians are also dealing with several unplanned interruptions on Friday, following a burst pipe in Oosterland Avenue in Bloubosrand, as well as intermittent water supply in Northgate.

The outage in Bloubosrand should be resolved around 10pm on Friday. Rand Water said technicians have isolated the water supply and drained the bulk main supply.

The delay was extended due to sourcing materials to complete repairs. The following areas are affected:

• Bloubosrand
• Northgate
• Cedar Lakes
• Cedar Creek
• Broadacres
• Needwood
• Kya Sands
• Northriding
• Chartwell
• Msawawa informal settlement
• Tirong
• Farmall

Meanwhile, the intermittent water supply in Sundowner, Northgate, Northwold and surrounding areas is being investigated – the cause of the problem has yet to be identified.

Intermittent water supply

Rand Water said it is working with Johannesburg Water to find the cause. In the interim, investigations are underway at the Honeydew reservoir.

Technicians also inspecting all pressure reducing valves in the affected areas.

Alternative water supply is available at the following locations:

• Tourmaline Road
• Honeydew Road West at the fruit and vegetable market
• Kalsedoon Road
• Montrose Avenue in Northgate

READ: City of Joburg loses nearly half its water, costing billions