Johannesburg residents urged to use water sparingly

Media statement
16 September 2020
Johannesburg residents urged to use water sparingly

As the country embraces the beginning of the spring season which leads to hot summer days, residents of the City of Johannesburg are reminded that level-1 water restrictions are still in full force. It is critical now more than ever to use water sparingly, water conservation remains a strong priority in Johannesburg to ensure a continuous sustainable water supply and to  avoid putting strain on  reservoirs due to high water demand outstripping supply.

This week, the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) dropped from 60.4% last week to 59.7% this week. During the comparative period last year, it was higher and steady at 65.7% (Info as at 7 September 2020).  In an effort to curtail water usage during this critical time, the Department of Water and Sanitation in Gauteng calls on consumers to limit their usage per household.

The Vaal dam is below 40% and this a call for action and a reminder to all residents that as the City of Johannesburg, we rely on supply from other Provinces that feed into the Vaal Dam system in order for us to have water in our taps,  and thus  should always be mindful of the amount of water we use daily as our reservoirs have already started to show signs of distress due to demand.

Under level-1 water restrictions: watering of gardens is not allowed between 6 am and 6 pm in summer months (1 Sept to 31 March) and furthermore and residents are not allowed to wash paved areas and driveways using hose pipes

Water Saving Tips:

• Do not leave taps dripping
• Wash your car on the grass, 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
• Re-use grey water to water your garden or pot plants.

Residents are also urged to continue to report all burst pipes, leaking water meters, open hydrants to:

• 011 375 5555/086 056 2874
• SMS 076 333 5052
• www.johannesburgwater.co.za
• @Jhbwater- Twitter
• Johannesburg Water- Facebook

Johannesburg Water is committed to providing sustainable water and water restrictions will be enforced by fines to consumers who contravened the Water Services By-law and consumers are urged to report non-compliance to the JMPD 24/7 hotline on 011 758 9650.

Ends

For media enquiries:
Mr Isaac Dhludhlu
Manager: Marketing and Communications
T: +27 (0) 11 688 1577
E: Isaac.dhludhlu@jwater.co.za

FAKE NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA CAUSE UNNECESSARY PANIC

Media Statement
12 September 2020

FAKE NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA CAUSE UNNECESSARY PANIC

Johannesburg Water has noted with concern an old statement issued in 2018 that is making the rounds on WhatsApp about a possible water outage in the greater City of Johannesburg.
We appeal to residents to verify the information on the Johannesburg Water website and social media pages before sharing old news that cause unnecessary panic. The entity is committed to provide sustainable service to all residents.

Residents are also reminded to use water sparingly as we approach summer season and the City is still under level 1 water restrictions.

We urge all residents to log calls as and when there are water and sanitation challenges through the City Call centre on 011 375 555 or email customer@jwater.co.za and can send a SMS to 076 333 5052

Ends

Enquiries
Isaac Dhludhlu
Communications Manager
011 688 1577
Isaac.dhludhlu@jwater.co.za

Load shedding affects water supply

03 September 2020 
Immediate Release 
Load shedding affects water supply 

Johannesburg Water would like to advise residents of the City of Johannesburg to check  load shedding schedule for their respective arrears on the Eskom and City Power websites as water supply does get affected by power outages.

In the event of load shedding for the duration  of 4 hours and more, pockets of areas with the City of Johannesburg will have water shortages or even low pressure because JW uses electricity to pump water from the reservoir into the towers.

Residents are urged to make arrangements by ensuring they have water to last the duration of the outage when they are affected by load shedding and we are in the process of putting together the necessary means/ contracts to lease mobile generators to assist as and when we experience such outages.  Please do not log a call if your area is experiencing load shedding as pressure tends to be low and will only improve when the towers start functioning when the power is restored. Residents are also advised to use water sparingly and that level 1 water restrictions are still in place in the City of Johannesburg.

Johannesburg Water is committed to provide a sustainable water and sanitation supply to all residents of the City and water bylaws are enforced by fines to consumers who contravened the Water Services By-laws. Consumers are urged to report non-compliance to the JMPD 24/7 hotline on 011 758 9650.

Ends 
Media enquiries:
Isaac Dhludhlu
Communications Manager
011 688 1577
072 638 5346
Isaac.Dhludhlu@jwater.co.za

JOHANNESBURG WATER IMPLEMENTS WATER DEMAND LEVY TO ALL CUSTOMERS

Media statement
1 September 2020

JOHANNESBURG WATER IMPLEMENTS WATER DEMAND LEVY TO ALL CUSTOMERS

All water prepaid customers across the City of Johannesburg are reminded about the new water demand management levy that has been implemented from 1 July 2020 going forward (according to the Council Approved 2020/21 Tariffs Report),  that there is a standard once-off  monthly fixed charge will be charged when one buys water credit, this is a fixed charge for all City of Johannesburg customers using conventional meters including prepaid customers in the greater Soweto, Riverside View and Cosmo City.

The fixed charge is mandatory and will be charged monthly, meaning customers cannot buy water for less than R27.00 as they need to cover the monthly fixed charge before they can get sufficient credit to last them for the month, customers are also informed not to buy water in bulk to last them for more than a month as they will automatically accumulate the monthly water fixed charge on their accounts for months they didn’t buy any credit.

The City is also offering the Expanded Social Package (ESP) to the indigent. The ESP targets vulnerable residents in the city such as the unemployed, youth, people with disabilities, displaced persons and senior citizens. People with different levels of need will qualify for different levels of subsidy according to the City’s measure of affordability. Please visit the nearest CoJ service centre to be assisted. The levy is also applicable to all customers on ESP if they use more than the allocation per month.

Ends

Media enquiries:
Mr Isaac Dhludhlu
Communications Manager
011 688 1577
072 638 5346
Isaac.Dhludhlu@jwater.co.za

Joburg Water ladies celebrate Women’s Month in style

JOHANNESBURG: Working in overalls might seem unglamorous but the ladies employed as plumbers and artisans within Johannesburg Water are determined to change that mindset through their Overalls & Heels Day initiative. The group of women who work at the Johannesburg Water Depot in Klipspruit, Soweto celebrated Women’s Month in style by showing up to work in their high heels and overalls. The initiative aimed to remind people that women are capable of working in male-dominated occupations while sending a positive message of transformation.

The overalls symbolise the element of hard labour and working with tools like shovels while the high heels reflect a sense of beauty, pride, and feminine power.
Speaking on the importance of the initiative, campaign coordinator Amanda Majodina said they were proud to serve their communities and provide for their families.Amanda said she was nervous about being able to handle some of the assigned tasks when she first joined Joburg Water.
“Today I can say I am a completely different person. I hold my spade and all the work tools with so much pride knowing that I’m capable and I have so much strength within me as a woman,” she said.Amanda emphasised that showing the positive element of working is such occupations and highlighting the challenges was a great way of encouraging women not to shy away from such job opportunities.”I wear my blue work suit with my safety boots, and I feel empowered because now I can provide for my family. I now understand that I can do anything as a woman. I am a woman of strength,” Amanda added.

Her colleague Suzan Saal said they enjoyed the day which included a fun photoshoot. Suzan said a lot of women in male-dominated industries faced similar challenges including feeling undermined by their male colleagues. She said sometimes men can make women feel uncomfortable in the workplace by commenting on their clothes or how they perform certain tasks.
“But I am proud of my female colleagues for the great work they do. They keep me motivated to come back to work every day,” she said.

NEWLANDS HOMESTEAD SEWER UPGDRAE PHASE 2

Johannesburg Water (JW) will be implementing a Sewer Upgrade Project in Newlands Homestead. This is a continuation of the project that was implemented in 2019 in ward 86.

The objective of the project is alleviate sewer blockages in the area.
The scope of work entails the replacement of 700m of existing sewer pipe of 400mm Ø concrete pipes with 600mm Ø of HDPE PE100 PN10 pipe and associated appurtenances using conventional method and pipe cracking method.

The work will be affecting the following streets:

• Stonewall Road (From 7th Road to 5th Street)
• Fifth Street (From Stonewall Road to Alberts Road)
• Alberts Road (From Fifth Street to First Street)
• First Street

The sewer upgrade project is estimated to take a duration of five months.
Johannesburg Water requests the copperation of residents affected during this time.