Residents in Mabopane and Soshanguve say they are receiving little to no water, with some households reporting that taps have been dry for days as water supply challenges continue to affect these areas.

Frustration is mounting among residents who say the shortage has disrupted daily life, forcing families to queue for water and spend money on bottled water they can ill afford.

“We wake up early, hoping the water will come back, but most days, there is nothing. Even when water does return, it is often at very low pressure and does not last long enough to meet basic household needs,” said Koketso Mlatji of Soshanguve Ext 7.

The Tshwane metro has confirmed that it is aware of the water supply shortages currently experienced by customers in both Mabopane and Soshanguve.

According to the metro, the challenges are linked to low bulk supply pressure on the system that supplies the two areas.

The metro said Rand Water has notified it of difficulties caused by high consumption, noting that Rand Water’s overall system is under significant strain.

The municipality indicated that the same trend has been observed across several of the metro’s reservoirs.

“This past weekend, the metro experienced difficulties in stabilising and maintaining adequate supply levels due to increased consumption,” said the municipality.

The metro has attributed the surge in demand to soaring temperatures, combined with fluctuating supply pressures, which have placed the entire water network under considerable pressure.

As of February 8, reservoir levels in Soshanguve L and Mabopane reportedly began dropping significantly.

The metro identified Soshanguve L and Soshanguve DD as the most affected systems, raising concerns about the sustainability of supply if consumption levels remain high.

Metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba said Rand Water’s Hartebeeshoek Reservoir is also currently at its lowest level and under serious strain.

He said reservoirs affected include the Soshanguve DD Reservoir, Soshanguve L Reservoir and Tower, Mabopane Central and Mabopane Reservoir, Mabopane Main Reservoir, Klipgat Reservoir and the Kruisfontein Reservoir.

“The supply shortage may also have an impact on businesses in Rosslyn, including South African Breweries.

“Water tankers have been arranged to assist the affected areas. Customers are urged to use water sparingly to save the system from collapsing,” said Bokaba.

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