By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Rand Water has implemented flow control measures in Gauteng, after residents failed to heed the call to use water sparingly, putting water availability at risk and cautioned that there will be no water for customers in areas serviced by the Hurstill reservoirs zone.
Residents in the Hursthill reservoirs zone will have no water while both Helen Joseph and Rahima Moosa Child and Mother hospitals have adequate supplies.
Affected areas include Montgomery Park, Westbury, Greymont, Coronationville, Newlands, Northcliff, Newclare, Auckland Park, Albertville, Melville, Richmond, Parkview, Emmarentia and Greenside.
Last week, Rand Water implemented level 2 water restrictions in the cities of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.
This means restricting water pressure by around 30%. Should consumption be too high in a specific area, water will be cut off for a few hours, in a bid to conserve dwindling water levels.
“Reducing demand remains a key priority,” said Joburg Water spokesperson Puleng Mopeli.
Around 17 million people rely on water supplied by Rand Water. On average, each person in Gauteng consumes over 300 litres of water a day – compared to the global average of 173 litres.
Since the start of spring, water usage has soared from 4 300 million litres a day to 4 900 litres.
An emergency meeting is due to be held with the Department of Water and Sanitation on Monday to find speedy solutions to the Gauteng’s continued unsustainable water supply challenges.