by l3rato | Nov 9, 2023 | 2023, Media Statement
9 November 2023 – 11:00
Media Statement
Johannesburg Water systems improving and moving in an upward trajectory
Johannesburg Water’s reservoirs and towers continue showing steady improvement. As at this morning, Thursday 9 November, the Entity’s systems had shown notable improvement over the last two weeks.
This follows weeks of water supply interruptions experienced in various areas across the City of Johannesburg.
This is the result of a combination of factors, including Johannesburg Water’s mitigation strategies to boost supply and improved bulk supply from Rand Water. The mitigation interventions include throttling (reducing pressure and flow) the outlets of critical reservoirs to 90% overnight, and sometimes completely closing some systems where necessary, to help build capacity for the following day.
Since the beginning of this week the following systems, which had been severely impacted, are performing at satisfactory levels:
• The South Hills tower started the week at 65% and was sitting at 80% for two consecutive mornings.
• The Brixton tower (Commando system) started the week off at 88% on Monday and has been full for the last two days.
• The Hursthill 1 reservoir (Commando system) began the week at 40% capacity and by Thursday morning, was sitting at 60%.
Johannesburg Water continues to monitor all systems and implement daily mitigation strategies to help boost supply. The Entity thanks residents who are observing Level-1 water restrictions and customers are urged to continue using water sparingly.
Ends
Issued by: Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by l3rato | Nov 8, 2023 | 2023, Media Statement
8 November 2023 – 09:30
Media Advisory
Johannesburg Water to roll out prepaid smart meter project to Orange Farm & parts of Soweto
Following the switching from open mode to prepaid smart meters in Cosmo City from 1 November, the rolling out is now extending to other areas. These include, Diepkloof, Orlando East and West, as well as Orange Farm.
The rollout will take place as follows:
Orlando East – 13 November 2023
Orlando West – 15 November 2023
Diepkloof – 27 November 2023
Orange Farm – 28 November 2023
Johannesburg Water is currently conducting consultation processes with ward councillors and the community to educate residents on various issues, including the benefits of the new prepaid smart meters, where and how to purchase water, the importance of paying for services, as well as the Expanded Social Package (ESP).
As such, Johannesburg Water is urging the residents of Orlando East and West, Diepkloof, and Orange Farm to ensure that they all have a Customer Interface Unit (CIU). CIUs are display units that are installed inside houses and linked to prepaid water meters and are crucial for loading units when purchasing water credits.
If customers have never received a CIU, or have lost a CIU, they can visit their nearest City of Johannesburg Customer Service Centre, where they will need to provide the following information: the property owner’s name and surname, physical address of the property, meter number and related contact details. The cost for replacing a lost CIU is R680. The refusal of switching to prepaid smart meters will lead to Level 3 water cuts, and residents will then have to pay to be reconnected.
• Customer service centres for Soweto residents.
• Customer service centres for Orange Farm residents.
• Read frequently asked questions on the STS Meter Project.
Ends.
Issued by: Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing
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by l3rato | Oct 27, 2023 | 2023, Media Statement
by l3rato | Oct 6, 2023 | 2023, Media Statement
6 October 2023 – 08:45
Media Statement
Johannesburg Water systems impacted by power trip at Rand Water’s Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant
Several Johannesburg Water’s systems have been affected by a power trip that occurred at Rand Water’s Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant on Thursday night, 5 October.
The Rand Water Eikenhof system is currently under tremendous strain which in turn has affected the stability of certain reservoirs within the Johannesburg Water system.
Increase in demand and the power trip at Rand Water’s Zuikerbosch treatment plant has further affected the water supply to Johannesburg Water key reservoirs.
Within the Commando system, which comprises the Hursthilll, Crosby and Brixton reservoirs, are critically low. The Brixton reservoirs had to be isolated/closed completely on Thursday evening up until this morning to build up capacity to the reservoir.
The Crown Gardens reservoir is also critically low and had to be isolated on Thursday evening, 5 October to build capacity.
Johannesburg Water is constantly monitoring the network to explore any other options to mitigate and find solutions to the water challenges in the area zone.
Alternative water has been arranged for the affected areas. Further updates will be provided to customers.
Ends
Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by l3rato | Sep 1, 2023 | 2023, Media Statement
1 September 2023 – 14:30
Media Statement
Residents urged to reduce water usage as demand outstrips supply
Johannesburg Water notes with concern the current high water consumption and urges residents to reduce usage. This has been reiterated by bulk supplier, Rand Water who have warned the entity that if consumption is not reduced, extreme measures may have to be instituted.
This coincides with the implementation of the City of Johannesburg’s Level-1 water restrictions, which run from 1 September to 31 March, annually. The restrictions are due to increasing water consumption caused by the warmer weather and lack of rain. However, with South Africa being a water-scarce country, the entity urges residents to use water sparingly.
The City has also noticed unsustainable increase in water demand, this renders Water Conservation and Water Demand Management a strong priority in Johannesburg, to ensure a continuous and sustainable water supply and to avoid putting strain on the City’s water supply systems due to high water demand outstripping supply.
Failure to reduce water consumption, will lead to the implementation of extreme measures to control the excessive increase. We therefore request communities to be ambassadors for accountable water use.
Under level-1 water restrictions, the watering of gardens is prohibited between 6am and 6pm from 1 September to 31 March. Furthermore, residents are not permitted to wash paved areas and driveways using hose pipes.
Now more than ever, it is imperative that we change our habits when it comes to water use. We can all make a difference by introducing one small change a day.
Here are simple water-saving habits to implement into your daily routine:
• Do not leave taps dripping
• Wash your car on the grass with grey water as this will water your lawn at the same time
• Shorten your showering time
• Use a glass of water to rinse when brushing your teeth
• Take shallow baths and avoid filling your bath to a depth greater than 100mm
• Reuse grey water to water your garden or pot plants
• Fix all leaking plumbing features in your house.
Johannesburg Water is committed to providing sustainable water. As such, water restrictions will be enforced by fines to customers who contravene the Water Services By-Law.
Ends
Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by l3rato | Aug 31, 2023 | 2023, Media Statement
31 August 2023 – 11:15
Media Statement
Johannesburg Water systems to be impacted by Rand Water maintenance
Some Johannesburg Water reservoirs will be affected by a planned maintenance by Rand Water for 17 hours from Tuesday, 5 to Wednesday, 6 September 2023.
The maintenance work will be carried from 15:00 on Tuesday, 5 September to 08:00 on Wednesday, 6 September to minimise the impact of water supply interruptions. During the planned maintenance work, the Rand Water will be replacing a malfunctioning 800mm Stafford meter.
Johannesburg Water plans to mitigate the impact to customers.
The following Johannesburg Water reservoirs will be affected:
• Parktown reservoir 1 – no impact anticipated.
• Parktown reservoir 2 – The outlet will be throttled (water supply will be reduced) to about 40%. Low pressure to no water is expected in the supply zone. Customers are requested to reduce consumption to minimise impact and to allow for quick recovery.
• Dunkeld reservoir – The inlet valve will be closed to reduce impact at Parktown reservoir 2. Therefore, low pressure to no water may be experienced in this supply zone.
• Berea reservoir – The outlet will be throttled (water supply will be reduced) to about 30%. Low pressure to no water is expected in the supply zone. Customers are requested to reduce consumption to minimise impact and allow for quick recovery.
• Hursthill reservoir 1 – No adjustments due to network configuration. Low pressure to no water is expected in the supply zone.
• Hursthill reservoir 2 – The outlet will be closed during the shutdown period. Low pressure to no water is expected in the supply zone.
Alternative water supply will be arranged for affected customers.
Ends
Issued by: Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
