Reservoirs recovering at good rate: Johannesburg water

Most water reservoirs and towers are recovering at a good rate following shortages, Johannesburg Water said on Wednesday.

"Less than two percent of residents of the city are still experiencing low water pressures and no water situation," spokeswoman Millicent Kabwe said in a statement.

"The Hursthill reservoir, Alexandra Park, President Park and Randjesfontein water towers recovered."

Suburbs such as Westdene, Hursthill, Albertville, Martindale, Triomf, Westbury, Mount Clare, Coronationville, Bosmont, Newlands, Benrose, Denver and Malvern had seen their water supply return.

"The facilities that still have no water are South Hills tower and Rabie Ridge reservoir," she said.

"The suburbs supplied by the two storage facilities include Rabie Ridge, Mayibuye, Risana, South Hills, Thulisa Park and surrounding areas."

Johannesburg Water had made temporary provision for the areas still affected, by way of water tanks.

"In the Rabie Ridge area, we have roaming tanks and in South Hills we have a stationery tank at the water tower and at 21 Risana Rd," Kabwe said.

"We are also giving special attention and priority to hospitals, clinics and schools until the situation improves. "

Johannesburg Water pleaded with residents that did have water to use it sparingly.

Earlier the City of Tshwane said most parts of the metro were still without water on Wednesday afternoon.

"Due to vandalism and cable theft at the Palmiet pump station, Rand Water is unable to supply water to most of the suburbs in Tshwane," it said in a statement.

Water tankers had been dispatched to the following areas:

• Laudium
• Itereleng
• Erasmia
• Atteridgeville
• Rooihuiskraal
• Mooiplaats
• Christoberg
• Claudius
• Mooiplats
• Gerhardsville
• Kalafong Hospital

The city warned residents to minimise the use of water on non-essential activities like watering gardens, irrigation and filling up swimming pool.

"Residents are further urged to use tap water sparingly to allow the reservoirs to fill up," it said.

The city apologised for the inconvenience.

Also on Wednesday, authorities said It was unclear when water would be fully restored to parts of Johannesburg and Tshwane that were affected by the water shortages this week.

"I can't give you a specific day or time," Rand Water spokesman Justice Mohale said.

He said the Eikenhof and Palmiet pumping stations had problems but there was improvement in water levels and supply. He did not specify what the problems were.

"Our Meredale reservoir [which supplied mostly to Johannesburg and the West Rand] is standing at 45 percent from yesterday's 22 percent," he explained.

"The Waterval reservoir [which mainly supplies Ekurhuleni] is standing at 30 percent from yesterday's 20 percent. It has peaked tremendously."

He said with time water levels would increase.

"There is improvement as time progresses. Areas that did not have water will start receiving water as time progresses."

Mohale explained that there were problems in supplying water to high-lying areas.

"There are high-lying areas which is not easy for water to be pumped there. As water levels increase, there will be enough pressure to pump water to those high lying areas."

"As time progresses, we believe water levels will increase."

The Star reported on Wednesday that there was a growing list of suburbs still without water, some in their second week.

Ekurhuleni municipality spokesman Themba Gadebe and his colleague Lindela Mashigo said they did not know when the water would be restored.

"It is dependent on Rand Water," said Mashigo.