Water shortage blamed on high demand
The week-long water supply woes in parts of Benoni have been blamed on the high consumption of water, due to the warmer temperatures.
“The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality is calling upon its residents to reduce their water consumption, following reports of low water pressure and no water in various parts of the region since Friday,” said Ekurhuleni’s media relations divisional head, Mandlakazi Mpahlwa-Sigcawu, in a press release.
Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe echoed this called.
“The areas of Benoni, Brakpan, Tsakane and Germiston have, over the past days, been experiencing low water pressure or no water at all, especially during peak hour demand periods,” said Gadebe.
“The water in the reservoirs has gone below the minimum required levels, due to high demand.
“Our investigation of the situation, at this stage, has revealed that there is extremely high water usage, which could be attributed to the hot weather.
“To stabilise the water situation, all water users are requested to use water sparingly, by stopping all forms of irrigation, washing of vehicles and filling of swimming pools.
“Residents are also urged to report burst pipes and to repair leaks on their properties, to avoid water losses.”
Rand Water media relations manager Justice Mohale, this morning also cited this as one of the causes of the problems.
This is despite him saying, on Wednesday, that a 12-hour power outage was the leading factor.
Mohale told the City Times this morning that an electricity outage at the Mapleton Booster Station, last night, contributed to the problem.
He said the 100-minute outage slowed the water distribution from that station, which supplies Brakpan and reservoirs in Benoni with water.
Mohale dispelled talk that two of the four pumps at the Vlakfontein reservoir were not operational.
According to Gadebe, water has been restored to affected areas, which include Crystal Park, Cloverdene, Benoni Agricultural Holdings, Putfontein, Rynfield, Morehill, MacKenzie Park North, New Modder and Rynsoord.
There are still reports from residents of Crystal Park and Cloverdene, who are without water.
The municipality wishes to apologise for any inconvenience caused through the unplanned water interruption and to assure all consumers that technical maintenance teams from Ekurhuleni are working very hard to ensure that supply is restored.
Are you without water? E-mail to kevinvdl@caxton.co.za.
