Johannesburg – A surge in water demand has led to low pressure and dry taps in some areas in Johannesburg.
As a result, the City of Johannesburg was implementing level 1 restrictions prohibiting watering gardens and using a hosepipe to clean paved areas and driveways with municipal water between 06:00 and 18:00.
Level 1 water restrictions are imposed to manage and regulate consumption, a practice that occurs each year from 1 September to March 31.
“Gauteng is experiencing a heatwave, which has resulted in a considerable surge in water demand, adversely affecting multiple Johannesburg Water reservoirs, towers, and water pump stations,” the water authority said Saturday, (12 October 2024).
To address these challenges, Johannesburg Water said it was undertaking vital Water Demand Management measures to ensure the stability of all systems.
“Consequently, various suburbs, particularly those in higher-lying areas, may experience poor water pressure or no water,” Johannesburg Water said.
Deep South Systems Generally
Deep South systems were constrained with demand exceeding available supply, the water authority said.
“Overnight improvements will be affected by heatwave and high demand,” warded Johannesburg Water.
The water authority said it was implementing various water demand strategies to stabilise the systems.
“The situation is exacerbated by tampering and illegal connections, which increases demand and damage infrastructure,” said Johannesburg Water.
“Customers are requested to reduce consumption and use water sparingly to reduce the impact of poor pressure and no water.”
Orange Farm, Ennerdale and Lawley Reservoirs
Johannesburg Water said all reservoirs were critically low, prompting the implementation of daily measures.
“These measures include closing the outlet overnight to increase capacity for the following day, with the outlet being reopened in the mornings for both Orange Farm and Lawley, while the Ennerdale Reservoir supplies Lawley Reservoir,” said Johannesburg Water.
Lenasia Systems
Johannesburg Water said it was actively monitoring the situation and executing necessary interventions to stabilise these systems.
The systems include Lenasia Cosmos, Lenasia Hospital Hill, and Lenasia High Level Reservoirs.
“The water supply at Lenasia Cosmos is currently low, and the reservoirs at Lenasia Hospital Hill and High-Level are critically low,” Johannesburg Water said.
“To address the situation, daily interventions are being carried out, including the closure of outlets overnight to build capacity for the next day, with reopening scheduled for the morning.
“Additionally, outlets are closed and reopened during the day to balance the supply with the demand.
“As a result, intermittent supply, or no water may occur in the supply zone while these interventions are in place.
“While pumping to Lenasia High Level is functioning normally, it may be impacted by the low reservoir levels at Hospital Hill.”
