Photo: Unsplash
Photo: Unsplash
Having no electricity is bad enough, but some residents in Johannesburg now face the prospect of their taps running dry on Thursday. Water restrictions have been slapped on 28 separate regions of the city for 18 March, as the local reticulation system is now seeing demand exceed supply. Emergency tankers will be deployed in some areas.
A statement from Johannesburg Water confirmed that affected reservoirs could have their supply choked by as much as 45%, causing low pressure and no running water for some households throughout the rest of the day:
“Rand Water has indicated that their distribution network is currently under severe pressure whereby the water demand is exceeding supply. Johannesburg Water must implement water restrictions to prevent the collapse of the supply system – restricting reservoirs by 20-45%. We plead with all residents in the city to use water sparingly today.”
“Some areas fee from the reservoirs listed will experience low pressure and no running water on Thursday – some will not be affected at all. Alternative water supply will be rolled out to affected areas. Locals must report all service interruptions through the call centre, or through social media.”
More tankers will be rolled out to strategic areas later on Thursday. For the meantime, Joburgers are being asked to use water sparingly and make any disturbance to supply known to the authorities. The following regions face water restrictions:
#mediaStatement
— Johannesburg Water (@JHBWater) March 17, 2021
Media Statement: Water Restrictions in the City of Johannesburg @cityofjoburgza ^p pic.twitter.com/WQFrBb1evx