Residents concerned about their health
“How are we expected to survive without water for so many days? We can’t even use the toilets because we are saving the little water we have for cooking."
Kwatsaduza – Residents are concerned about their hygiene amidst water outages.
The water cut which was implemented from Saturday morning affected Tsakani, Brakpan, Daveyton, Springs, Etwatwa, AH Daveyton, Cultural Holdings, Duduza, Masechaba View, John Dube, Langaville and some parts of Kwa-Thema.
This is said to be a result of technical challenges from the side of Rand Water Mapleton Booster Station.
The metro has assured residents they are working around the clock to restore water in the affected areas.
In the meantime, they are providing water tankers to areas that have been hit by a water supply interruption.
Concerned resident Maria Masulu shared her frustrations that depriving residents of water is a human rights violation.
Also read: Water outages in parts of Ekurhuleni result in supply challenges
“They didn’t have the decency to inform us in time to fill up beforehand.
“How are we expected to survive without water for so many days? We can’t even use the toilets because we are saving the little water we have for cooking.
“The water tankers also run out before we can all fill our buckets and they move to other areas,” she explained.
In a statement released by the metro, it was explained the water shutdown was caused by a power outage affecting Rand Water’s Mapleton Booster station on Thursday night.
The booster pump station supplies the bulk supplier’s Brakpan and Vlakfontein reservoirs.
Affected residents in Springs, Tsakani, Geluksdal, Langaville, Labore, Duduza, Masetjhaba View, Bluegum View, John Dube Village, Dalpark, Daveyton, Etwatwa and Benoni Agricultural Holdings are experiencing intermittent water supply as Rand Water’s pumping capacity has been reduced to 430Ml (58%) instead of the usual 730 Ml per day.
Also read: Minister calls for a water and sanitation summit
Meanwhile, roving water tankers have been dispatched to alleviate pressure on water users who have no water supply.
There are a limited number of water tankers available; therefore, they will not be stationary at a specific spot but will rather make stops while driving along main roads and identified locations.
In their response to the debacle, the ANC Caucus in Ekurhuleni noted the limited efforts from the side of the City in providing water tankers.
Chief whip of ANC in Ekurhuleni Clr Jongizizwe Dlabathi said he is calling for the City to dispense more water tankers through ward councillors.
“The ANC Caucus will be calling for the strengthening of internal capacity in respect of water tankers to ensure sufficient relief in provided as and when we are faced with future water interruptions.
“We are hopeful that the completion of the 29 reservoirs whose construction started during the last term will bring more stability in the supply of water,” he added.
Follow us on: 
