17 March 2024 – 10:15
Customer Notice
Water supply systems under severe strain
The persistent heatwave experienced in the past few weeks as well as the lack of rain has resulted in high demand, which has led to the bulk supplier’s reservoir levels declining at an undesirable rate, impacting Johannesburg Water and other metros. Currently, demand is outstripping supply.
Although Rand Water is pumping and supplying, the increased demand on the entire system has resulted in reservoirs being unable to maintain capacity.
Over the past few months, Rand Water has been holding daily Joint Operations Committee (JOC) meetings with Johannesburg Water, the City of Tshwane, as well as the City of Ekurhuleni in efforts to find strategies and solutions to addressing this high demand issue.
Furthermore, Johannesburg Water technical teams have been working behind-the-scenes implementing daily internal interventions to mitigate the situation and improve water supply to its customers. As such, the Entity urges the City of Johannesburg’s (CoJ) residents and businesses to work with us in reducing water wastage by at least 10%.
This includes adhering to the City’s level-1 water restrictions, which require residents to use water sparingly especially with South Africa being a water-scarce country. Under level-1 water restrictions, the watering of gardens is prohibited between 6am and 6pm. Furthermore, residents are not permitted to wash paved areas and driveways using hose pipes.
It is more imperative now more than ever that we embrace a new mindset on water conservation. By adopting tiny adjustments each day, we can all have an impact.
Here are simple water-saving habits to implement into your daily routine:
• Do not leave taps dripping, and repair leaking taps in your household
• Wash your car on the grass as this will water your lawn at the same time
• Shorten your showering time
• Use a glass of water to rinse when brushing your teeth
• Take shallow baths and avoid filling your bath to a depth greater than 100mm
• Reuse grey water to water your garden or pot plants
Ends
Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.