By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has called for the implementation of water shifting as part of interim plans to address the challenges that have left some communities in Gauteng without water.
Mchunu has been engaging various communities across Gauteng this week amid water supply challenges and days-to weeks-long water shortages and the subsequent public outcry.
Some parts of Gauteng have experienced acute water interruptions recently owing to different systemic issues.
Following discussions with community members from South Hill in Johannesburg on Tuesday, five key outcomes emerged, namely accountability, water shifting, poor infrastructure, reservoirs and water conservation.
During the meeting, residents complained that while some of them have been without water for weeks, they have received high water bills.
The residents told the Minister that grievances are taken seriously only when they take to the streets. They further said there was zero accountability from the government regarding lack of basic service delivery.
Responding to the community members, Mchunu said they had continuous robust and cordial meetings with Joburg Water, the City of Johannesburg, Joburg Municipality and Rand Water.
Mchunu said decisions taken from the meeting should be implemented as soon as possible.
“We must not subject people to emotional stress all the time. Hold us accountable because water is a sensitive and emotional subject. We are focused on resolving the problems,” Mchunu said.
Regarding water shifting, Mchunu said Rand Water has assured him that they will do load shifting from a line that is not too busy and redirect to Palmiet, until the system recovers and is able to supply even high-lying areas.
“We are going to water shift as an interim measure. Technicians will be monitoring the system 24/7 as we shift water from systems to systems,” Mchunu explained.
The Minister called on Rand Water to have a set timeline for when the extra 150 mega litres will be made available from Station 5A.
He said the City of Johannesburg must start the process of replacing old leaking pipes to stop large volume of water being lost due to leaks.
“Water shifting is not a permanent solution, so we have to do something permanent to address this challenge. I support Joburg Water’s initiative to construct a temporary pump station to assist with the turnaround recovery of water shortages.
“Joburg Water will share implementation plans and time frames regarding the development of the sump at the South Hills tower,” he said.
The Ministry of Water and Sanitation is currently conducting site visits to various areas in Gauteng that have been affected by water outages.