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Joburg Water requests residents to use less water

Due to the high demand for water and the lack of rain, the entity has requested residents to save water.

Residents are urged to use less water due to the increased water consumption as a result of the hot weather and lack of rain.

According to Nombuso Shabalala, spokesperson for Joburg Water (JW), the entity is struggling with the demand for water among residents.

“JW notes with concern the current high water consumption and urges residents to reduce usage. This has been reiterated by bulk supplier, Rand Water who have warned the entity that if consumption is not reduced, extreme measures may have to be instituted,” said Shabalala.

Shabalala continued this urge occurs simultaneously with the City of Johannesburg’s Level-1 water restrictions, which run from September 1 to March 31 each year.

“With South Africa being a water-scarce country, the entity urges residents to use water sparingly. The City has also noticed an unsustainable increase in water demand, this renders Water Conservation and Water Demand Management a strong priority in Johannesburg. This is to ensure a continuous and sustainable water supply and to avoid putting strain on the City’s water supply systems due to high water demand outstripping supply,” stated Shabalala

Shabalala added failure to reduce water consumption ‘will lead to the implementation of extreme measures to control the excessive increase’. JW asked communities ‘to be ambassadors for accountable water use’.

Shabalala mentioned the following measures can be taken to reduce water usage:

Under level-1 water restrictions, the watering of gardens is prohibited between 6am and 6pm from 1 September to 31 March. Furthermore, residents are not permitted to wash paved areas and driveways using hose pipes.

Now more than ever, it is imperative that we change our habits when it comes to water use. We can all make a difference by introducing one small change a day.

Here are simple water-saving habits to implement into your daily routine:

• Do not leave taps dripping
• Wash your car on the grass with grey water as 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
• Reuse grey water to water your garden or pot plants
• Fix all leaking plumbing features in your house

“Johannesburg Water is committed to providing sustainable water. As such, water restrictions will be enforced by fines to customers who contravene the Water Services By-Law,” concluded Shabalala.

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