Restrictions bite as Vaal hits its lowest level ever
WATER restrictions in parts of Gauteng are causing misery in many communities, including Lenasia, where residents are using pots and pans to fill up from water trucks.
“Water tankers have come out to the area to help, but it is not enough. Residents have started buying bottled water and some non-profit organisations have donated water to us,” said one local, Preyalan Pillay.
He said the drought had led to water restrictions for a while, “but more recently we have had a complete shutdown”.
Mother of three Raddiya Subjee said her life has been turned upside down.
“The pressure of the water is so low that it takes us at least five minutes to fill up a glass.
“It is ridiculous. Then there are times when the water is turned off completely.”
The 44-year-old said she fills up pots in her kitchen and her bath tub when the taps do run.
“I use the water from the pots for cooking, cleaning and washing dishes, while the water filled in the bath tub is for flushing the toilet.”
Subjee said the situation was very difficult and she hoped it would improve soon.
Another resident, who declined to be named, said the water department needed to address the problem as soon as possible.
“We cannot live like this. Sometimes I have to leave my home and go to other relatives just to have a bath and cook.
“Although there are restrictions and we are using less water, we are still paying the same bills. Something does not add up.”
The Johannesburg Department of Water and Sanitation said the Vaal Dam which supplies Lenasia and other areas was sitting at 26.6%, its lowest level ever.
Spokesman Sputnik Ratau said the Vaal is one of 14 dams within the Vaal River System and supplies water to approximately 12 million people and industries.
In order to address the issue, the department is expected to release water from the Sterkfontein Dam into the Vaal Dam.
Ratau explained that the water would be released into the Nuwejaarspruit, which joins the Wilge River on the outskirts of Harrismith flowing into the Vaal Dam.
“The release will be done in such a way as to avoid flooding. Farmers adjacent to the river are requested to remove pumps, livestock and farming equipment during this period. Farmers are also requested not to use the water for agricultural purposes.
“Offenders will be prosecuted, as strict compliance monitoring will be enforced.”
Ratau said despite the recent rainfalls, the department was urging communities to heed the call to use water sparingly – rain has not fallen in key catchment areas.