It is no exaggeration to say the Rand Water shutdown has been met with panic and frustration in equal measure.
Few residents accepted the necessary maintenance of infrastructure being carried out at a time when so many areas are already experiencing water outages.
Update, July 14: 12:16
Water update
Rand Water have just announced that the work at the Eikenhof pumping station has been completed.
🚨WATER UPDATE🚨
We wish to report that the work at Eikenhof pumping station has been completed.#RandWater #PlannedMaintenance #A19Pipeline #B14Pipeline #RW120YearsofExcellence #WaterSustainability [NS]— Rand Water (@Rand_Water) July 14, 2023
Media statement
- The repairs that were conducted during the planned Rand Water shutdown, from Tuesday, 11 July at 19:00, to Friday morning at 05:00, have been completed and Johannesburg Water systems are gradually recovering.
- Residents in Rosebank have confirmed that water has gradually started to return
Here are some of the challenges that Johannesburg Water encountered with the water shutdown:
- The Zwartkopjes repairs, which were supposed to take 24 hours, were only completed at 01:00 on Thursday, 13 July, as opposed to 19:00 on Wednesday, 12 July.
- There was no continuous pumping of the 24% of water at the Eikenhof Booster Station that was supposed to take place throughout the shutdown. There was no pumping on Wednesday night, resulting in Soweto and Lenasia systems being critically low to empty. By Thursday, the Eikenhof system was empty.
- The entity did not get the 300 megalitres of extra water pumping into Johannesburg Water systems as promised by the bulk supplier.
Although work has been completed, Johannesburg Water customers are reminded that full recovery will take five to 14 days.
Guild Cottage struggles during water shutdown
The water shutdown has affected non-profit organisation Guild Cottage in Parktown West. Executive director Nandisa Tilayi said, “We are struggling. We are buying water from a water shop called Amanzi in Randsteam. Now on the second day without water we are struggling, especially with toilets as we are a residential home for girls.
Read more: Guild Cottage struggles during water shutdown
Joburg Zoo is prepared for water shutdown
Executive manager at Johannesburg Zoo Louise Gordon said the Johannesburg Zoo has made the following preparations during the water outage;
1. The installation of JoJo tanks to ensure water supply to all animals and ablution facilities. These were filled in advance to prepare for the water maintenance.
2. Mobile water tanker to supply water for animals on a continuous basis and where required.
3. Installation of water dispensers in all office blocks for staff consumption and washing of dishes, etc.
4. Additional containers of water to be moved where required.
Read more: Joburg Zoo is prepared for water shutdown
Pumping resumes at Zwartkopjes systemÂ
- The Rand Water shutdown is scheduled to end on Friday, 14 July at 05:00, having begun on Tuesday, 11 July at 19:00.
- Full recovery of the affected Johannesburg Water systems will take five to 14 days
- “Customers are further notified that, since the reservoirs have run empty in some areas, the recovery of high-lying areas can take
several days to be fully restored,” confirmed Rand Water. - Johannesburg Water continues to prioritise critical areas such as hospitals, clinics, and old age homes by providing alternative water supply.
- As at Thursday afternoon, the entity had deployed an additional 111 stationary tanks and 54 additional water trucks to service residents during the shutdown
Immaculata Shelter spends R2 500 on water:
- The Immaculata Shelter in Rosebank has been affected by the Rand Water shutdown currently in effect.
- The manager of the shelter Michael Ntuli said their water supply was cut off at 06:00 on July 13. He said they spent R2 500 on the day to supply water to 100 residents at the shelter and 120 day visitors.
- “The water we bought is for showers, toilets and cooking. We haven’t had any Jojo tanks delivered to us. We would like to know if the councillor has a contingency plan for us. We are wondering that if such a situation happens again in three months, will the city council help us?” he questioned.
- The Ward 117 councillor and Joburg Water were contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of going to press.
Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital has not been affected by the water outage.
In a single day, the Immaculata Shelter has spent R2 500 on water supply following the current water shutdown.https://t.co/dNnocoaE5v
— Rosebank Killarney (@RK_Gazette) July 13, 2023
🚨WATER UPDATE🚨
Rand Water has coordinated technical meetings with @JHBWater and @City_Ekurhuleni
The purpose of the meeting was to provide progress report. #A19Pipeline #B14Pipeline #PlannedMaintenance #RW120YearsOfExcellence #WaterSustainability [NS]— Rand Water (@Rand_Water) July 13, 2023
#RandWater #PlannedMaintenance #A19Pipeline #B14Pipeline #RW120YearsofExcellence #WaterSustainability
[UPDATE]Status at 06:00 on 13/07/2023Teams have worked diligently throughout the night. Zwartkopjes pumping station has commenced pumping to Yeoville and Meredale reservoirs. pic.twitter.com/yMSWlHSjnY
— Rand Water (@Rand_Water) July 13, 2023
Many are also sceptical that the supply of water will be restored by the estimated time, as Rand Water and Joburg Water (JW) have a history of not meeting deadlines.
The shutdown commenced at 19:00 on July 11 and Rand Water is expected to reconnect the water network at 05:00 on July 14. However, as of July 13, JW has said the supply in some areas may take up to 10 days to return to normal.
Read more:Â How you can save water as a small business owner
The purpose of the planned shutdown is to complete a tie-in between the A19 and B14 with a new pipeline, installation of isolation valves, and systems upgrades at Rand Water’s Eikenhof pump station.
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