Persistent municipal water disruptions have forced the owner of The Secret Tea Garden in Norscot, Cailin Sanders, to rely on a donated JoJo tank to maintain operations at the community recreational centre.

Sanders said the water interruptions in the area have occurred for a long time, eventually becoming so disruptive that the business had to install the backup tank.

Read more: Norscot Manor receives 5 000L JoJo tank amid ongoing water cuts

“It does help, but obviously people can’t ask for more than a day,” Sanders said, noting that while the tank has made a difference, it has not solved the problem.

When the municipal supply is interrupted for longer periods, Sanders said the impact is felt throughout the business. Water is needed to wash dishes, clean toilets and provide drinking water to customers. Sanders said that, at times, the business cannot operate.

“We have to buy additional water when the supply is unavailable,” she said. “This is adding another expense to an already challenging operating environment for us.”

For a venue such as The Secret Tea Garden, the issue is particularly frustrating because there is no easy way to simply carry on without water.

Impact on local residents

It is not only businesses that are affected. Residents living in the area also rely on the same supply for everyday necessities such as showering, cooking and cleaning.

Sanders said the interruptions have become something that people have had to learn to work around. “There have been discussions with authorities about the problem, including concerns around water pressure in the area, but it is still continuing.”

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She said the community has also previously been told that ageing infrastructure is contributing to the ongoing challenges. While the JoJo tank has provided some peace of mind, Sanders believes businesses and residents should not have to rely on private backup solutions indefinitely.

She said what is needed is a permanent solution to the infrastructure and pressure problems affecting the area, rather than simply having residents and businesses find ways to cope whenever the taps run dry.

Johannesburg Water was approached for comment on the ongoing water disruptions, the reported pressure issues and concerns around ageing infrastructure on September 1.

At the time of publication, the utility had acknowledged receipt of the query and said it would provide a response within its standard turnaround time of 24 to 48 hours, depending on the complexity of the matter and the input required from its technical department.

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