Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
13 January 2024 | 12:34 CAT

Johannesburg Water warned of possible water outages in Sandton as Rand Water embarks on unplanned maintenance. Wolfram Steinberg/Getty Images

Sandton residents will not go without water as planned this weekend after Rand Water postponed its emergency valve replacement because of recent heavy rains in Johannesburg.

Work to replace the valve was set to begin on Thursday and continue into Friday, with bulk water supplier Rand Water and distributor Johannesburg Water warning that maintenance teams would close Rand Water’s Sandton 1 and 2 reservoirs.

Rand Water and Johannesburg Water said in a joint statement on Thursday: “Poor weather conditions and rains since [Wednesday] night made the ground unstable, muddy and inaccessible. Therefore, it will become risky to carry out this work.”

The entities said they would communicate when maintenance will be carried out.

Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo says the emergency repair is needed to replace an isolating valve urgently.

The Sandton meter provides water to parts of Johannesburg’s northern areas.

Some reservoirs to be affected include Bryanston Reservoir, Bryanston Tower, Illovo Reservoir, Illovo Tower, Morningside Reservoir, Linbro Park Reservoir, Marlboro Reservoir, Linbro Park and Marlboro direct feeds.

Maroo said, “Johannesburg Water commits to do everything within its powers to ensure that their reservoirs that are supplied from the Sandton meter are filled to maximum capacity before the maintenance to minimise supply interruptions.”

“Customers in high-lying areas may experience low to no pressure during the maintenance period; alternative water supply will be provided should it be necessary,” Maroo says.

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