Where did the water go?
Areas of Benoni worst affected by water shortages were, on Monday, said to have water, although many still suffered from weak water pressure.
Clr Stefanie Kruger, of Ward 24, said residents of the hardest-hit suburbs of Cloverdene and Crystal Park had water by Saturday afternoon.
The City Times was inundated with complaints from fed-up residents who have either had sporadic water supply or no water at all, last week.
The worst affected areas in Benoni included Crystal Park, Cloverdene, Benoni Agricultural Holdings, Putfontein, Rynfield, Morehill, Mackenzie Park North, New Modder and Rynsoord.
Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe said, on Monday, that the water shortage was “due to erratic bulk water supply from Rand Water and unprecedented high water demand driven by hot weather and panic storage of water in large quantities”.
“Rand Water has indicated that they having been experiencing plant failure that affected their ability to supply the normal quantity of bulk water to the municipality,” he added.
“Engineers from Ekurhuleni and Rand Water are working around the clock to restore and stabilise the water supply as soon as possible.
“However, since some networks and reservoirs were completely dry, the water supply stabilisation will take some time.”
Rand Water media relations manager Justice Mohale told the City Times last week the problem was caused by a 12-hour electricity outage at the Eikenhof Pumping Station, on Monday, last week.
Mohale told the City Times on Friday that an electricity outage at the Mapleton Booster Station, on Thursday, last week, also contributed to the problem.
He said the 100-minute outage slowed the water distribution from that station, which supplies Brakpan and reservoirs in Benoni.
The water shortage has also been blamed on a high demand in the warmer temperatures, with Ekurhuleni issuing a statement last week, asking the public to use water sparingly.
“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,” said Gadebe.
“Residents are also urged to report burst pipes and to repair leaks on their properties, to avoid water losses.”
Called to act
The DA has called on the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane, to urgently investigate the major interruptions in water supply by Rand Water in Gauteng.
“Rand Water has explained that the water interruptions are related to power outages,” said a DA press release.
“But it is the responsibility of Rand Water to ensure contingency plans are in place to deal with power outages.
“Given that rolling blackouts have been on the cards for some time, one would expect that Rand Water has prepared generator capacity to ensure that the risk of a simultaneous cut in water and electricity supply is mitigated.”
The press release lists a umber of “problems” at Rand Water, namely: lack of maintenance, lack of contingency plans and shortage of engineering know-how.
Paying for no water?
Kruger said she has heard from people complaining that their water meters ran despite there not being any water at their homes.
The City Times asked Ekurhuleni to comment, but said they could not do so without the affected parties’ account numbers.
Kruger said people in her ward may email their details to stefanie.kruger0@gmail.com, in order for her to investigate the matter.
She said these charges should only reflect on next month’s statement.
Irate residents have their say
Winston Smalman commented on the Benoni City Times website:
“To the council officials responsible for water and sanitation: Your cowardly excuses and insinuations that we are responsible for no water due to watering gardens, washing vehicles and filling swimming pools.
“We don’t have any water available to even attempt flushing a f@#$%ng toilet.
“Resolve the issue!
“Stop lying!
“Stop blaming!”
Leon Smith commented via email:
What a load of bull.
“Still no freaking water in Crystal Park, yet we have to pay for services when we have no clear answers yet on when it will be restored.
“It has been a whole freaking week now.
“Where are the so-called water carts?
“This is really frustrating.
“Let us cut one of the councillors’ water for a week and see how fast they will sort it out.”
Alan Roome comment on the webise:
“It is a disgrace.
“I have lived in Crystal Park for over 30 years and never had water problem like we have now.
“With no one to give information and no indication of when these water problems will be rectified.
“If we fail to pay our bill on time we get cut off very quickly.
“We can’t even get a reason why we have water problems never mind a solution.
“We are paying for a service we have not got – why?”
An anonymous comment on the Benoni City Times website:
“We have been without water in Cloverdene for two-and-a-half weeks on and off.
“… This situation is totally ridiculous!
“No one is willing to give us answers as to exactly what the situation is and when it will be sorted out.
“Who can live like this?
“…We are without the basic human right to water!
“I have to drive my family to Boksburg every day to shower and replenish water for toilets and drinking water – and then travel back to Benoni to drop everyone where they need to be before going to work.
“This is madness!”
