We’ve been living in fear of water shedding for a year now, since the current drought began, and the bad news is that thanks to the heat wave currently sweeping through Gauteng, little rainfall over recent weeks and residents still not saving water, we may see water cuts becoming the daily norm in some areas in the city.
3/3 Vaal Dam has dropped to 27.5% and might drop faster due to the heatwave ^H
— Johannesburg Water (@JHBWater) October 30, 2016
This week’s temperatures are expected to soar to highs of 30 degrees on average, today alone will see highs of 35 degrees.
A warning has been issued by the City of Joburg and Joburg Water, strongly appealing to residents in Diepkloof and its surrounds, as well as Midrand and its surrounds, after there were water cuts over the weekend.
According to the city, residents in Midrand, Diepkloof and the greater Alexandra areas are the biggest consumers of water.
Residents were warned that usage in the areas was alarmingly high and that they needed to save water as soon as possible. However, usage did not drop and the city was forced to shut the water off for some time.
Diepkloof: Reservoir in the area is decreasing. We appeal to all Diepkloof & Orlando east residents to reduce their water usage 1/2 ^H
— Johannesburg Water (@JHBWater) October 30, 2016
We are no longer appealing or encouraging you to save water. If you do not save water, you will be without water #Savewater, choose^TK
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) October 30, 2016
Water tanks were deployed to the areas to supply residents in the evenings, while they waited for restoration.
The water tanks will leave @valleyvorna spar at 10pm^TK pic.twitter.com/idXe08qZou
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) October 30, 2016
Water steadily started flowing normally again during the day and evening on Sunday, however residents in the areas were again warned that the reservoirs supplying them were not filling up quickly enough due to high usage.
Joburg Water then warned of daily water cuts, should the situation not improve.
3/3 Residents are reminded that water outage can be an everyday thing if they refuse to heed the call of reducing their water usage ^H
— Johannesburg Water (@JHBWater) October 31, 2016
Midrand:We appeal to all residents to only use water they need.System will be affected if demand is not reduced. Wateroutage will be everyday
— Johannesburg Water (@JHBWater) October 31, 2016
Stop watering gardens
Although Level 2 water restrictions are in place, which prohibit water of gardens between 6am and 6pm, the city has strongly warned against water gardens, filling pools and washing cars with hosepipes at all, due to the current crisis. Despite the fact there have been some thunderstorms lately, the drought is far from over.
“Businesses needs to start realising that should they continue with watering their gardens, they will be left with no water to operate. Complexes need to stop watering gardens and washing pavements with municipal. They will be most affected all the time when there is no water,” Joburg Water said.
[Image – CC Wikimedia Commons]