It’s all systems flow, says Rand Water
Rand Water has announced that it has restored full pumping capacity at all its systems.
The confirmation on Saturday follows after the water board had announced that powerlines at the Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant (ZWTP) were damaged by severe thunderstorms around midnight on Tuesday, resulting in the plant tripping.
On Thursday, the treatment plant experienced an internal electrical fault which negatively affected the plant’s ability to operate optimally.
Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo says the water board is pumping at full capacity, has restored all its systems and is gradually filling the depleted reservoirs.
"We urge all consumers to use water sparingly as we have observed an increase in water demand due to high temperatures. Potable water is a finite resource, especially in the context of a semi-arid area such as South Africa.
"High water consumption is discouraged not because of affordability but rather owing to scarcity. When many people consume large volumes of water like irrigation, filling swimming pools at the same time, this inevitably causes a strain on the system and peak demands shoot up. The resultant effect is therefore quick depletion of systems."
Maroo adds that uncontrolled high-water consumption has already put a strain on Rand Water’s systems.
"Rand Water held emergency meetings with affected municipalities: the City of Johannesburg, and City of Ekurhuleni to discuss the impact of the power supply failure to ZWTP and came up with feasible resolutions.
"The meetings yielded positive results as the four Booster Stations have improved significantly. It is important to mention that all three entities are committed to strengthening proactive engagement, co-operation, co-ordination, and communication.
"The latest incident has caused the reduction of pumping at Palmiet and Eikenhof Booster Pumping Stations resulting in the depletion of the already critically low reservoirs."
In Joburg, the Johannesburg Water Systems were affected; however, they have improved significantly over night.
"South Hills Tower, Alexander Park Reservoir, Midrand System, which includes the Grand Central, Errand 1 and 2 Reservoirs, Errand tower, as well as the President Park, Rabie Ridge, Randjesfontein, Randjeslaagte and Country View Reservoirs and Towers and Sandton System, Linbro Park, Marlboro, Morningside, Bryanston and Illovo, are critically low to empty with the direct supply points being without water. Johannesburg Water will continue to monitor the developments and provide updates to residents,” adds Maroo.
Meanwhile, in Ekurhuleni, the Primrose and Russell Road Reservoirs as well as the Windsor and Churchill Pump Stations were affected and consequently impacting the Wadeville.
"Rand Water and City of Ekurhuleni will continue to prioritise the full restoration of water supply to Kwa-Thema and Tsakane townships which were affected by the failures in the Mapleton supply system over the past weeks. City of Ekurhuleni will also continue to monitor the developments and provide updates to residents," concludes Maroo.
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