Johannesburg Water and Rand Water technical teams continue to address the ongoing water crisis affecting various parts of the city, including Blairgowrie and Linden.
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Following extensive investigations, it was discovered that a valve, crucial for water supply, had been closed, significantly impacting the flow into the system.
Upon investigation on March 12, technical teams identified the closed valve and promptly opened it, alleviating pressure on the Linden 1 and Linden 2 reservoirs. Unfortunately, the Kensington B reservoir, as well as the Blairgowrie reservoir, remain critically low to empty.
Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Kabelo Gwamanda shed light on the situation in an interview with Newzroom Afrika. “This crisis happened as a result of lightning having struck one of Rand Water’s stations, and the challenge that came from that was discovering that one of the valves in the water supply from the Rand Water pump station to the City of Johannesburg infrastructure has been closed off, and the reason why is yet to be determined.”
Gwamanda further outlined the impact, stating, “Two areas, Linden and Blairgowrie, are the areas that were affected by the closed valve, and that problem has since been resolved. There is a steady progression in the water supply as well as the levels in the reservoir. This will recover over a period of three days.”
Gwamanda said investigations on why the valve was closed are underway and assured residents that further actions will be taken based on the outcomes of these investigations. “We do not have access to the infrastructure where the valve was closed, and that is why we are relying on an investigation to give us answers and give us an understanding as to why a valve would be closed. Rand Water has instituted an investigation that we will then report to the residents.”
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Progress made in water supply for Linden and Blairgowrie areas
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