Gauteng implements level one water restrictions

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Gauteng residents have to contend with level one water restrictions as part of efforts to ensure continuous and sustainable water supply.

Rand Water as well as Johannesburg Water have urged consumers to reduce their water consumption.

The utilities company says they’ve noted an increase in water consumption which warned may lead to collapse.

Spokesperson Makenosi Maroo said although their stations are operating at their maximum capacity; however, the entity is unable to maintain its reservoirs at high water levels because of high consumption by consumers and citizens in the metro and surrounding areas.

She added; “The increase is putting strain on its ability to meet demand which could result in intermittent water supply.

“Due to the system being integrated, even customers that are using water sparingly are being affected.

“During this time of the year [beginning of spring], we experience a huge increase in terms of water consumption particularly in Gauteng. 

“It is happening quite lot with people filling up their swimming pools, washing cars on the driveway and cleaning the pavement. So, people are using a lot of water”.

Maroo stated that South Africa is a water-scarce country, therefore, consumer behaviour is important in ensuring sustainable and equitable water supply.

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She then urged customers, consumers and all citizens to conserve water including implementing water saving tips such as watering laws and gardens with clean drinking water.

Meanwhile, Eskom has placed the country on stage two load-shedding.

The power utility has attributed the reduced to stage to a further improvement in generation capacity.

Stage two will be implemented until four o’clock on Monday afternoon, thereafter the country will be moved to stage four.  

Spokesperson Daphney Mokoena said; “We would like to announce that due to further improvements by generation capacity, stage two load-shedding instead of previously communicated stage three will be implemented from 16:00 on Sunday until Monday.

“Thereafter, stage four load-shedding will be implemented from 16:00 on Monday until 05:00am on Tuesday. Followed by stage two load-shedding from 05:00 am until 16:00.”