Water supply disrupted

Water will be restored to the northern suburbs as soon as possible. A damaged pipe has led to supply interruptions.
SEVERAL northern suburbs are without water as a result of a damaged water pipe coupled with scheduled water interruptions as part of routine service maintenance.

Joburg Water said certain streets in Bloubosrand and other northern suburbs had been without water since 2 March.

The spokesperson for the municipal-owned entity, Baldwin Matsimela, said supply in those areas ceased when a contractor damaged a water pipe while carrying out maintenance work. He said a dedicated team had been sent to repair the damage.

Affected streets include Conduit, Selbourne, Dromadaris, Westminster, Government, Arniston, Riverwalk and Short in the far north of Johannesburg. Matsimela anticipates the repair work to be complete by Monday evening.

He said the entity had put alternative measures in place. “In the meantime, mobile water tankers will be deployed in the affected areas to provide customers with water. These tankers will remain in the area until the problem has been resolved.”

In addition, there were scheduled water interruptions in Bryanston, Ennerdale, Orange Farm, Greenstone Hill, certain Soweto suburbs and Fourways.

“Johannesburg Water wishes to apologise to the residents in affected areas and undertakes to have the interruptions resolved as soon as possible,” the entity said.

Budget
When he tabled Joburg’s budget for the 2011/2012 financial year, Executive Mayor Parks Tau said the City would spend its capital budget on service delivery and infrastructure projects, including upgrading sewer and water infrastructure.

He set aside an estimated R5-billion for maintenance of water networks, fixing sewer blockages, water conservation and demand side management.

Maintaining its water systems allows Joburg Water to keep track of its capacity. It is the utility’s responsibility to ensure that wastewater generated daily is treated to the high standards demanded by the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs and that it is in line with global best practices.

Water or sewer problems must be reported to Joburg Connect on 011 375 5555.