Load shedding affects water supply

21 October 2020
Media Statement
Power outage affects water supply in the South of Johannesburg

Rand Water  is experiencing a power outage at their Eikenhof Pump Station  due to a City Power trip at the  Orlando substation. As a result,  our Hurst hill reservoirs are affected and are almost empty due to reduced inflows from the Rand Water side.

Other affected areas which may also be affected due to reduced inflows include:
* Eldorado Park
* Lenasia
* Naturena
* Kibler park
* Devlands and surrounding areas

We apologise for the inconvenience caused. Residents are urged to use water sparingly.

More information about the outage will be available on our social media pages.
Ends

For media inquiries:
Isaac Dhludhlu
Manager: Communications and Marketing
Tel: 011 688 1577
Email: Isaac.dhludhlu@jwater.co.za

Johannesburg Water is embarking on a prepaid meter data verification exercise in selected townships/suburbs across the City of Johannesburg. The data verification exercise will be conducted by the Johannesburg Water service provider African Meter Reading (AMR) who will visit each and every stand in areas with prepaid meters.

The verification is aimed at updating customer data and the collected data will be used only to update the vending system and SAP with the correct meter and customer information.

The aim of this project is to:

• Verify data to update system
• Update customer data
• Check meter number
• Check if meter is functional

This project is expected to start at the end of November and will be rolled out in phases in all the parts of Soweto,Lehae, Cosmo City and Riverside View with the inclusion of all households in Diepkloof.

In Braamfischer, Devland and Lehae the service provider will be verifying all the meters in these areas even those with conventional meters.

Customers are asked to note that African Meter Reading will not be enforcing any by-laws during the implementation of the data verification exercise for customers that have by-passed meters, vandalized meters or illegally connected their homes to the system. The Information gathered by AMR during the exercise will not be used to prosecute or penalise transgressors.

Residents are asked to note that personnel doing the verification tests will be easily identifiable with Johannesburg Water branded reflective vest, a cap and Identity card  which they will be required to wear at all times during working hours. The AMR office line 010 110 0598 can be used to verify the identity of the personnel who will be doing the verification.

Ends
For media inquiries:
Isaac Dhludhlu
Manager: Communications and Marketing
Tel: 011 688 1577
Email: Isaac.dhludhlu@jwater.co.za

14 October 2020
MEDIA STATEMENT

REMOVAL OF ILLEGAL WATER CONNECTIONS TO THE JW LENASIA WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM

Today, 14 October 2020, Johannesburg Water, SAPS, and JMPD embarked on a joint operation to cut off illegal water connections on the Lenasia water supply mainline, that has hampered the Entity’s ability to provide sustainable service to the community of Lenasia South.

The Lenasia water supply system comprises of a 700 mm diameter mainline connected to the Rand Water pipeline and feeds three reservoirs in Lenasia South, namely; Cosmos reservoir, Hospital Hill reservoir, and High Level reservoir. Lenasia Hospital Hill and Lenasia High Level reservoirs have water demand exceeding water supply mainly due to the illegal water connections by the informal settlement found in this area.

The illegal connections have compromised water supply in this area, and has resulted in the water supply been shut between 21:00 and 4:00 daily, in order to maintain sufficient reservoir capacity. Johannesburg Water is currently constructing a 15ML reservoir that will complement the supply to Lenasia High-Level Reservoir and ease the challenges created by illegal connections. The construction of this new reservoir will be completed during 2021.

The illegal connections cut-offs undertaken today, were performed at Waterworks Informal Settlement. The estimated population in this settlement is 3232 and the estimated consumption is 0.38 ML/Day. Water tankers have been provided to this settlement and are filled using water tankers daily on a continuous basis.

Johannesburg Water teams across the City are continuing with the maintenance of burst pipe repairs, leak repairs, active leak detection, and valve maintenance.  Community members are encouraged to report any leaks through formal platforms to minimise impact and improve turnaround times.

Ends

For media inquiries:
Isaac Dhludhlu
Manager: Communications and Marketing
Tel: 011 688 1577
Email: Isaac.dhludhlu@jwater.co.za

132 WARD 120 WATER SUPPLY CHALLENGES UPDATE

The Entity has committed to improving channels of communication, updates about water challenges and mitigation factors thereof, thus include notifications to residents before shutting down of reservoir due to high water demand, erratic electricity supply or any related water challenges.

The shutting down of Lenasia Hospital Hill reservoir between 21h00 and 4h00am will remain in place until construction of the new reservoir is completed, handed over and operational. A contractor has been appointed for the construction of 15 megalitres (Ml) reservoir in Lenasia that will relieve pressure on the Lenasia Hospital Hill reservoir and thereby boosting the water supply.

The project team is finalising the identification and appointment of Small Medium Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), and the construction project will commence thereafter.  The reservoir is expected to be completed by the end of September 2021 if no delays are experienced during the project implementation stage.

Furthermore, two more contractors have been appointed for the construction of the pipeline and are expected to commence with work in September and October 2020 respectively with completion dates being April 2021 if no delays are experienced during the project implementation stage.

 Johannesburg Water will continue with the maintenance of burst pipe repairs, leak repairs, active leak detection and valve maintenance, and community members are encouraged to report any leaks through formal platforms to minimize impact and improve turnaround times.

The City is working to stop the escalation of land invasion in the Region as it poses a bigger threat to water and sanitation system even after construction projects are completed, the land invasion at Univerle (Phumla Mqashi) and Waterworks alone contribute to over 1.3 megalitres per day of unaccounted for water, which add the strain to already struggling reservoirs.

Ends

For media enquiries:
Isaac Dhludhlu
Manager: Marketing and Communications
Tel: 011 688 1577
Email: Isaac.dhludhlu@jwater.co.za

Click to read or download the>>> MEDIA STATEMENT-Randburg Extended Open Day to deal with all outstanding queries