Maintenance leaves Joburgers high and dry

Some Johannesburg residents are complaining that they haven’t seen water tankers in their communities, despite relying on them as a last resort during Rand Water’s planned water cuts.

The utility’s infrastructure maintenance project, which entered its second week today, has left some parts of Johannesburg without water, with Tshwane and Ekurhuleni next in line to be affected.

Providing an update at a media briefing, Rand Water CEO Sipho Mosai explained that the utility was taking advantage of the low winter demand to carry out the project and prepare for summer’s higher demands.

Tshwane COO, Vuyo Zithumani, acknowledged that while water tankers come at a significant cost, they are the only option to ensure that residents receive water.

The five-week maintenance project, ending July 29, has caused low water pressure and dry taps in Gauteng, costing the city R300 million.

YNews spoke to residents from Eldorado Park and Evans Park, who expressed frustration over the lack of water and sanitation, with one elderly resident saying it’s posing a health hazard in her local mall’s food court and bathrooms.

Another gentleman, a local shop keeper, expressed his discomfort at not being able to bath or cook for days due to the low water pressure and abrupt cuts to water supply.

Despite frustrations, water expert Carin Bosman says Rand Water couldn’t have better prepared residents, citing delayed maintenance due to lack of payment from municipalities.

Bosman explained that the prolonged outages are due to the size and scale of the pipes needing repair, urging patience from residents. Written by Naomi Kobbie