Rand Water interruption spreads to Pretoria West areas
Parts of Laudium, Sausville and Atteridgeville, in the western side of Pretoria CBD, are the latest to be affected by Rand Water service interruption. The reservoir levels started dwindling greatly in these areas on December 10 2018.
Yesterday, the City’s Water and Sanitation Department indicated that the electrical problem that occurred on the Rand Water’s Palmiet pump station, on December 8 2018, had resulted in water shortages in Regions 1, 4 and subsequently Region 3.
The following areas are affected by the water utility’s interruption:
- Garankuwa
- Mabopane
- Winterveld
- Soshanguve
- Garankuwa Industrial
- Atteridgeville
- Saulsville
- Laudium
- Bakenkop
- Rooihuiskraal North
- Heuweloord
- Lyttelton
- Unitas Hospital
- Erasmia
- Christoburg
- Valhalla
The pump station that had affected the water supply has been repaired, however, restrictions have taken over. Rand Water is continuously monitoring the reservoirs which reached unacceptable levels over the recent weekend. Water supply will be restored once the water levels are sufficient and have stabilised in the reservoirs.
Water tankers have been dispatched to deliver water to the affected areas. The City strives to involve ward councilors at all times when water is supplied through water tankers as they know the immediate needs of the communities they represent.
Furthermore, Rand Water indicated that water consumption has increased drastically over the past couple of weeks, resulting in a shortage of bulk water supply to the City.
Residents and businesses are not allowed with immediate effect to:
- Water gardens between 06:00 and 18:00;
- Use hosepipes to clean driveways or patios; and
- Washing a car/vehicle with a hosepipe.
Where the bulk water demand is not sufficiently reduced, the City may implement levels 2 or 3 restrictions in terms of the approved Water Supply Tariffs (Provincial Gazette, 28 June 2017).
Residents and businesses are advised with the following hints/ tips to reduce the water usage/ demand further:
- Use grey water for watering gardens and flushing toilets.
- Report water leaks and pipe bursts.
- Install water-saving devices.
- Where possible, install a low-flow showerhead and tap aerators.
- Use a dual-flush toilet cistern.
- Plant indigenous or drought-resistant shrubs in the garden.
- Collect rainwater for re-use in the garden or for washing the car.
- Cover the swimming pool to reduce evaporation.
- Take a shower rather than a bath.
- Close a running tap while brushing teeth or shaving.
- Regularly check toilets and taps for leaks.
- Check and repair a leak in your toilet.
- Search for internal pipe leaks by closing all internal taps, including the stopcock at the toilet cistern. The small wheel on the water meter should not turn.
- Consider drilling a borehole for irrigation.
Note:
Drilling of boreholes in suburbs underlain by dolomite bedrock is prohibited due to the risk of dolomite instability, except if certified as safe by an appropriate professionally registered person. An appropriate sign must be visible if a borehole exists on a property.
In light of the intermittent issues pertaining to water, the City appeals to residents to please remain vigilant to wastage of this scarce resource, and make saving water part of your lifestyle by following the above-mentioned tips.