#RandWaterShutdown: RCCI says businesses are suffering amid water shutdown

Business owners in Randburg feel hard done by the Rand Water shutdown.

Randburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Linda Blackbeard said without water some staff can’t operate, and the ablution areas cannot be serviced properly.

“RCCI understands the need to service the infrastructure,” she said. “However so many hours without water in the taps is a rough call for anyone. Not only to the residents and old age homes, but it’s also the businesses in general that suffer.”

She said many office block businesses have closed their doors.

“Coupled with the load-shedding, which now is at stage 6, meaning four-hour stints during working hours, it’s virtually impossible for any manufacturing, packaging and food supply companies to operate. Besides being frustrating, it’s annoying many as their bottom lines are again being affected.”

Blackbeard said ward councillors have been advising residents about the shutdown, but not much has been said to businesses, especially with regard to the times of the shutdown

“The times also kept changing and people didn’t know where they stood. Vendors serving food, how do they keep things clean without water? Does Joe Public have an ablution facility? All questions I don’t want to begin to answer.”

She said business owners feel exasperated.