This year’s Spring Day was different in the communities of Linmeyer, South Hills, Risana, The Hill and parts of Thulisa Park as they didn’t have water.
As of September 1, these communities were on day six without water. This is not the first time that they didn’t have water. There was also a nine-day water outage from July 4 to 13.
WATCH: Water finally back in South Hills
Justice Mohale from Rand Water said they had undertaken additional interventions from its other healthier systems to supplement the Klipriviersberg reservoir that feeds the Meyershill reservoir.
“Last night (August 30), the Klipriviersberg reservoir was at 4m head and required a 5m head to commence with the supply of water to the Meyershill reservoir. Rand Water is confident that once the 5m head is achieved, water would begin to flow into Meyershill reservoir, and ultimately into the South Hills tower,” said Mohale.
“We are confident the above-mentioned reservoirs will achieve the required 5m head level overnight and the affected areas will begin to receive water in the morning.
“Rand Water will continue to monitor the reservoir levels throughout the night and will inform its customers (Johannesburg Water) when there is sufficient water in the Meyershill reservoir.
Thereafter, Johannesburg Water will begin pumping water into South Hills tower and restore water supply to affected areas, which are Linmeyer, South Hills, Risana and The Hill.
“Rand Water urges consumers to use water sparingly and apologises for any inconvenience caused,” he said.
On August 30, ward 56 and 57 councillors Michael Crichton and Faeeza Chame escalated the water crisis to The South African Human Rights Commission.
WATCH: The South water issue escalated to human rights
“In a constitutional democracy such as South Africa, water is regarded as a Human Right. Section 27 (1) (b) states that everyone has the right to have access to sufficient water.
“However, sadly this has not been consistently the case for the residents who are supplied by the South Hills water tower, which supplies thousands of residents across the suburbs of South Hills, Linmeyer and Tulisa Park. Just over a month ago, these residents suffered a nine-day water outage,” they said.
“We need water not answers” – South Hills residents up in arms
On August 31, angry residents of South Hills barricaded South Rand Road next to the Silver Ball with rocks and burning tyres due to certain parts of the South not having water.
Residents had had enough after spending days without water and getting little to no help from Joburg Water and Rand Water to get their water supply restored.
The lack of water during a pandemic compromised health protocols. Some of the schools were closed as they cannot ensure adequate sanitation and hygiene.
Along with the thirsty residents of South Hills were ward 23, 54, 55, 56 and 57 councillors Tyrell Meyers, Stuart Marais, Rashieda Landis, Michael Crichton and Faeeza Chame respectively.
Chame said the only thing they want from them is the truth about when they were going to get the water back.
“We are not leaving here without answers,” she said.
One of the fuming residents responded to Chame: “We don’t need answers, we need water.”
The councillors and some of the residents went to Rand Water offices on September 1 and councillor Chame said, “A big thank you to everyone that came with us to Rand Water. We made a big statement, and our collective voices were heard loud and clear.
“Rand Water has stated that they have started diverting water from the Mapleton and Eikenhof reservoirs. The positive news is that this has resulted in the Klipriviersberg reservoir, which feeds the Meyershill reservoir (which then supplies the South Hills water tower) increasing its capacity.
“They have now committed to closing the outlet values in the Meyershill reservoir to help it get to a capacity where Joburg Water can start pumping water.
They have committed to having water restored either by this evening or tomorrow morning. We will keep you posted as soon as we receive further feedback,” she said.
As promised by Rand Water, water was restored to the areas on Wednesday evening, September 1.
WATCH: Rand Water deals with contaminated water flowing into nature reserve
