Mabopane residents plagued with water issues
The residents say the metro must supply them with water tankers.
Taps in Mabopane have been dry for over three days leaving residents of Block B thirsty and fuming.
Tshwane metro said it is aware of the dry water spells to the north.
According to spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, the metro is aware of Region 1’s prolonged water supply interruptions that have been affecting the residents of Mabopane.
“It came to the region’s attention from September 2023 that all high-altitude areas in Mabopane reservoir zone were receiving intermittent water supply due to low reservoir levels from Mabopane main and Mabopane reservoirs,” said Mashigo.
Mashigo said that the affected areas are high-lying areas in Block B1, A, D, S and Morula View.
“The upgrade of a previously decommissioned 400mm A/C pipe to boost pressure in the area has been resuscitated to ensure water supply in the affected areas.
The pipe is now active but the pressure is not sufficient to build up and supply altitude parts of Block B and Klipgat reservoir,” said Mashigo.
The metro has called on residents to use water sparingly following its urgent meeting with Rand Water.
Nhlanhla Moeng, a resident of Mabopane Block B, said it’s very stressful not to have water.
“Water is a basic need and no one should go a day without.
We need to cook, children need water to bathe so they can go to school. So we are in a stressful situation,” said Moeng.
Moeng said most residents buy water from retail stores but unfortunately not everyone can afford it.
“Some of us can’t afford it, as you know it’s almost month-end and we don’t have money, so that option of buying water doesn’t accommodate all of us.
The municipality must supply us with water tankers immediately. They know that we don’t have water.
People are sick and they need water to survive so they [municipality] must do something as quickly as possible,” expressed Moeng.
When speaking to Rekord, Mashigo said the solution to the water crisis in the area would be to maintain the reservoir levels above 50%.
According to Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink, Rand Water cautioned the metro that its water supply capacity had dropped below 30%.
Brink urged residents to be prudent when using water by adhering to the following tips:
– Do not wash vehicles with a hosepipe
– Do not fill the swimming pool
– Instal a low-flow shower head and tap aerators where possible
– Use a dual-flush toilet cistern
– Plant indigenous or drought-resistant shrubs in the garden
– Collect rainwater to reuse in the garden or wash the car
– Cover the swimming pool to reduce water evaporation
– Take a short shower rather than a bath
– Close a running tap while brushing teeth or shaving.
– Regularly check toilets and taps for leaks
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