Despite Rand Water warning two weeks ago that a water shortage was looming, last week, at a recent media briefing on 4 November Johannesburg Water officials announced that there was no crisis but urged residents to continue using water responsibly and sparingly. Joburg Water managing director, Lungile Dhlamini said, “It’s not because we are downplaying the gravity of the emerging threat or risk upon us. We were and are continuing to monitor Rand Water dam levels on a daily basis and communicating [with them]… We strongly urge all our communities and water users to use water responsibly and sparingly.”
However, today Mfikoe said following Johannesburg Water’s recent media, Rand Water has notified them of a further deterioration in the bulk supply system. She said, “It is against this backdrop that the City of Johannesburg has to invoke Section 44(3) of the Water Services Bylaw, a Level-2 restriction which is more austere than the Level-1 Restriction. Level-1 restriction is an appeal to residents and consumers to use water responsibly and sparingly, as a mitigation measure.”
Mfikoe said in terms Section 44(3) (i.e. Level-2 Restriction) of this Bylaw, residents, business and consumers are forthwith compelled: Not to water and irrigate their gardens between 6am and 6pm, not to fill their swimming pools and not to use hosepipes to wash their cars, paved areas. She said, “We urge members of the public to report non-compliance to these restrictions to 011 688 1699 or customerserviceemails@jwater.co.za.”
The MMC also stated that although water will was still available, the system supply pressure will also be reduced. She also added that in the event, that the situation deteriorates further, a Level-3 restriction would have to be imposed. “Level-3 would entail supply of water at stipulated times in a day, namely, only in the mornings and in the evenings at times to be announced. In other words there would be no water supply outside of those stipulated times. In order to avoid Level-3 restrictions, consumers are strongly urged to comply with Level-2 restriction, she said.
To assist consumers during the Level-2 restriction, the following measures are advised:
- Encourage use of borehole water
- Use of bathwater or grey-water for watering the gardens
- Continue to take shorter showers
- Not let water run during brushing of teeth
- Always do full loads of washing machine and dish-washing.
Further tips on preserving water and regular updates on the situation: www.johannesburgwater.co. za and follow joburg water on Twitter @jhbwater
