Reducing water consumption as they heat increases
JOBURG – Level 1 water restrictions are still full active says Joburg Water.
Joburg Water is reminding the public that level 1 water restrictions are still active as spring gets underway.
According to a statement released by Joburg Water, the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) dropped from 60.4 per cent last week to 59.7 per cent this week.The statement read, ‘It is critical now more than ever to use water sparingly, water conservation remains a strong priority in Johannesburg to ensure a continuous sustainable water supply and to avoid putting strain on reservoirs due to high water demand outstripping supply.’
In an effort to curtail water usage during this critical time, the Department of Water and Sanitation in Gauteng called on consumers to limit their usage per household.
During the comparative period last year, the IVRS was higher and steady at 65.7 per cent (info as at 7 September 2020). As it currently stands, the Vaal Dam is just below 40 per cent full and the water consumers of Joburg were reminded that the city’s water supply is dependent on the rest of the country. The statement continued, ‘We rely on supply from other provinces that feed into the Vaal Dam system in order for us to have water in our taps, and thus should always be mindful of the amount of water we use daily as our reservoirs have already started to show signs of distress due to demand.’
Under level-1 water restrictions, the watering of gardens is not allowed between 6am and 6pm in summer months between 1 September and 31 March. Residents are also prohibited from washing their paved areas and driveways using hose pipes during this time. The public has been urged to continue to report all burst pipes, leaking water meters and open hydrants to Joburg Water on 011 375 5555 or 086 056 2874. To help residents reduce their water consumption, the City offered the following water-saving tips:
- Do not leave taps dripping
- Wash your car on the grass, this will water your lawn at the same time. Shorten your showering time
- Use a glass of water to rinse when brushing your teeth.
- Take shallow baths and avoid filling your bath to a depth greater than 100mm
- Re-use grey water to water your garden or pot plants.
