Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
01 July 2024 | 16:33 CAT

WaterCAN

Despite Joburg Water’s promises, several communities in and around Johannesburg and Ekhurhuleni are still without water. The ongoing three-week infrastructure maintenance by Rand Water has left many areas parched, with residents struggling to locate the promised water tankers. The impact of these water shortages on the daily lives of the residents is significant and urgent.

Despite Johannesburg Water having set out a contingency plan to reduce the impact of the planned maintenance on its residents, people in many parts of Johannesburg claim they have yet to see water tanks and have been without water for days.

Dr Ferrial Adam, executive manager of WaterCAN, said the hardest-hit areas include Observatory, Kensington, Greenside, Emmarentia, Melville, North Riding, Crown Mines, Bergbron, Killarney, Witpoortjie and parts of Randburg.

“Communication and information about the tankers and JoJo tanks have been very poor. Joburg Water needed more planning. It seems they reach an emergency and then wing it.

Dr. Ferrial Adam, executive manager of WaterCAN, pointed out that The utility’s failure to provide clear information about the water systems has left residents in the dark. The confusion over which suburbs are linked to each system and the meaninglessness of the updates provided by Joburg Water has only added to the residents’ woes.

Despite residents struggling with water shortages due to existing water issues and the planned Rand Water maintenance, the utility has announced its maintenance project is on schedule.

Meanwhile, Joburg Water said maintenance was completed at the Zwartkopjes booster pump station following Wednesday’s power outage. The pump station continues to pump at 100%. Some stations are recovering, while others are still struggling.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany here.