According to a Whatsapp message from Benoni councillors, the water cut affecting many parts of Benoni is Rand Water’s fault.

At 06:00 this morning,  Benoni reservoir levels were at 19% and 14% (Mapleton and Zwartkopjes systems) and described as dangerously low.

This is not the fault of council, the water tower, the pumps or lack of a generator.

The Benoni reservoir is fed from Rand Water. The pumps at the tower “pulls” water from the reservoir into the tower where the tower uses gravitational force to feed to the houses.

Right now it’s about the level of water in the reservoir and not the pumps. If there is not enough water, the pumps can’t pull the water.

If there is load-shedding at the source (at the dams where Rand Water pumps water from) or going into or out of the filtration plant, or anywhere along the line, it will result in delays of water.

Demand for water has been higher due to the heatwave and if the levels drop insidee the reservoir and there is no time to recover, the result is no water, as is being experienced.

Apparently it is not only Benoni, other parts of Ekurhuleni also have low to no water. Even the City of Johannesburg is experiencing the same.

Councillors have been advised the situation will persist until Rand Water recovers – and it is anyone’s guess when that will be.

Residents are urged to conserve water at all times and refrain from watering gardens, washing cars, etc.

Water tankers have been requested by councillors but these apparently have to come from neighbouring areas, like Brakpan, Springs and Kempton Park, because they have to be filled there.

Residents must keep an eye on their Whatsapp groups for news about the tankers and those with boreholes are requested to assist other residents if possible.

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