Joburg warned on water usage

If you thought the rainy season was heading our way in the next few months, you may be a little disappointed to hear that the City of Joburg will only be receiving decent rainfall from January.

In a statement released yesterday, the City of Joburg encouraged residents to use water wisely and sparingly to combat this situation.

Although rain is scarce, the demand for water in the City of Joburg has continued to increase as the weather gets warmer, making it extremely difficult to provide everyone with water.

The initiatives that have been put in place to save water, such as the replacement of main water pipes, pressure management, as well as active and passive leakage control, are not enough to completely combat this issue.

Johannesburg Water continues to encourage residents to do their part and reduce water usage.

Tips on saving water can be found on the Johannesburg water website.

“If our water demand on the system is not reduced during these high temperature periods and before decent rainfall is received, the bulk infrastructure will not be able to cope in supplying the required water demand,” the city said in the statement

As the demand for water increases, the availability of water decreases and may result in restrictions.

“The city further wants to remind residents that if demand is not reduced to acceptable levels, Johannesburg Water will start with a process of increased pressure management.

“This will involve the reduction of supply into reticulation, similar to what was done in the city during the restrictions earlier this year.”

Various steps will need to be taken by the city, such as implementing level 2 water restrictions.

This will mean customers will pay higher tariffs once water consumption goes over 20Kl/pm.

“We are confident that the residents of Johannesburg will work with us to reduce demand during these warm, rainless months to ensure that there are no drastic water restrictions and that there will be water available for the future.”

Residents are reminded, as part of the city’s bylaws, that watering of gardens is only allowed between 6pm and 6am. They are also reminded that no hard surface may be hosed down with water from the tap. – Citizen reporter

If demand on the system is not reduced during high temperature periods and before decent rainfall, we will not be able to supply the required water. City of Johannesburg statement