Many residents were unhappy with the way the suposedly big water shutdown on Teusday was handled by Joburg Water and some even complained that tere was no cut off as planned.
The matter is not a frivolous one though, as many residents and business owners explained.
Although some did express their appreciation of the fact that Joburg Water forewarned the public in a proper fashion, the question was raised why the water supply was still on on 8 April. One of the biggest concerns were that the project was running late and would therefore cause more inconveniences.
On investigation the Record was informed early on the day by a source within Rand Water that the project was a success and that the water supply was about to be turned on again. It was hinted at though that Joburg Water were over zealous in their campaign to warn the public.
Residents and businesses’ unhappiness stems from the fact though that many incurred costs in preparation of the 24-hour water shutdown.
One business owner, who caters for 30 staff members, told the Record that he had to put aside more than 500l of water for his staff ‘s use or faced shutting down for the day. This he feels was a waste of money and water.
“It just seems that no government department can get anything right,” said the irate business owner.
Residents were also unhappy, saying they went and bought water, which they did not need to do. It is obvious that some shop owners also saw a chance to cash in on the mini-crisis. According to one resident a well known supermarket close to her home were selling 5l of water for R36 where the supermarkets’ competitor was selling it for R16.
Joburg Water Spokesperson, Milicent Kabwe said the warning was done in the pucblic’s interest.
“Rand Water do not deal with the public directly, where as we do,” says Kabwe
“Knowing on how our infrastructure work and based on the reservoirs that would be affected according to Rand Water, we made our decision as to which suburbs to warn.
“Our first responsibility is with the residents and therefore we warned them well in advance in order not to create a panic at the last minute. People’s lives are affected if they have to go without water for 24 hours and we feel we acted correctly and in the interest of the public we serve,” says Kabwe.
Water to be turned back on soon — 8 April
Although today 8 April has been publicised widely to be a day without water for residents of Roodepoort due to a forced water shutdown by Rand Water to do maintenance work, many households have not been affected.
The Record had to field many calls from members of the public who were worried about the fact that they indeed had water as opposed to the public notices that indicated that they would not have any.
At approximately 10.30am the Record spoke to Rudi van Lingen, the Project Originator of Rand Water, to find out why many households still had water.
According to Van Lingen the maintenance and replacement work have almost been completed and that Rand Water was “close to switching the water supply back on”.
Van Lingen told the Record that the supply was turned off at certain strategic points and that it was possible that certain areas would not be affected, contrary to Joburg Water’s campaign to warn residents.
He did not want to give an estimated time as to when the water supply would reach all the affected parties again, but was confident that the project was a success and that the water supply would be restored no later than 5am on 9 April.
Residents forewarned of water shutdown — 3 April
On 8 April Randwater will be replacing a 450mm valve on their F14 line.
This replacement will involve closing off water supply in Langlaagte and Hamberg depot areas.
The suburbs that will be affected in its totality (every street) are Bergbron, Claremont, Delarey, Whiteridge, Roodekrans (all extensions), Wilropark (all extensions), Helderkruin (all extensions), Constantia Kloof (all extensions), Allens Nek (all extensions), Weltevreden Park (Extensions 1, 12, 13, 25, 57, 5, 29, 77, 30), Florida Hills, Florida North, Discovery (Extensions 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13), Selwyn, Florida Township, Horison, Horizon View, Roodepoort North and Florida Park (all extensions).
The reservoirs/ water towers that will be affected are Florida North Tower, Constantia North Tower, Jim Fouché Booster Pump Station, Helderkruin Reservoir and the Northcliff Reservoir.
According to Joburg Water an estimated 15 000 properties will be effected.
The disruptions will start at approximately 5am on 8 April and will be completed on 9 April at 5am.
Randwater and Joburg Water will provide alternative sources of water such as water tankers during the procedure at Builders Warehouse at the corner of Jim Fouché and Hendrik Potgieter Roads, Wilro Park Shopping Centre, Village Hyper at the corner of Hibiscus Street and CR Swart Road, Wilrokrans Shopping Centre at the corner of Ouklip Road and Graphite Street, two tanks at Westgate Shopping Centre, Florida Clinic, Checkers Hyperama at the corner of Golf Club Terrace and Constantia Drive, Florida Junction, Constantia Clinic, Fred Michell Park, Westway Shopping Centre at the corner of Ouklip Road and Wilgerood Road, at the corner of Ehibition Street and 11th Street, at the corner of Mollie Street and 10th Street opposite the tennis court, at the corner of Plateau Street and Blinkwater Street opposite the flats and at the corner of Sannie Street and Princess Road next to the clinic.
The replacement will be done to improve service delivery and continuity of water supply.
The persons who can be contacted from the depots during the procedure is Tshimo Mathibe (Hamberg depot Manager) on 082 728 9106 or Shala Mokotedi (Operations Manager for the Langlaagte depot) on 082 857 6548. The office number is 011 474 6683.
