Level 2 restrictions loom as Joburg’s water woes persist

Soft water restrictions, water shedding, load shifting and water cuts. These are the solutions brought by the national department of water and sanitation to address the water crisis plaguing Joburg. The move follows multiple demonstrations by residents across the city, in particular in Midrand, Emmarentia, Melville and Parkhurst, who have not had water for more than 20 days.

“If necessary, we may have to consider tariffs. If you use excessive amounts of water, there may need to be financial consequences.” — David Mahlobo The deputy water and sanitation minister, David Mahlobo, said the new soft restrictions would apply to Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Mpumalanga and Free State. “Following an assessment by the minister, we agreed that, as an immediate intervention to restore supply in areas without water and to prevent the system from collapsing, we would implement soft water restrictions,” Mahlobo said.

“These soft restrictions will apply only in areas where the system is still providing water, because those are the areas receiving supply,” he said. He added that the department will possibly look at implementing level 2 restrictions. “When you implement restrictions, people may not necessarily see them immediately.

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For example, we can introduce level 1 restrictions where water is still available, but at lower pressure. You will still have water, but not at high pressure. If necessary, we may move to level 2,” he said.

Mahlobo said the proposed restrictions were in response to a system strain on Rand Water following an explosion at the utility’s treatment plant in Klipfontein that supplied Midrand. “We know that when it comes to water, you cannot speak about restrictions to people who do not have a drop,” Mahlobo said. “However, there are areas that are still receiving water, but residents are not necessarily using it wisely.

“On Sunday, the system began cutting down across the entire network, and supply dropped to around 23%. Rand Water then convened a portfolio committee and reported to the minister so that municipalities could deal with the situation,” he said.

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