Joburg Water assures tankers will be provided to residents affected by 86-hour shutdown
The Zwartkoppies and Eikenhof pump stations will undergo repairs from Friday, affecting areas including Randburg, Soweto and Roodepoort.
A dry tap at a residence home in Seshego, Polokwane, Limpopo, 10 February 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Johannesburg Water has promised residents it will provide them with adequate water tankers during an 86-hour shutdown starting on Friday.
Joburgers will have to contend with dry taps until Monday, while the utility does maintenance work on critical infrastructure.
The Zwartkoppies and Eikenhof pump stations will undergo repairs, affecting areas including Randburg, Soweto and Roodepoort.
Joburg Water Spokesperson Nombuso Tshabalala said communication on water tanker placement will follow soon.
"At this stage, we are finalising the water tankers and the location where they will be placed."
Tshabalala added that the system would be supplying normally for the first 24 hours, but that thereafter, residents can expect either low pressure or no water.
'ADMIT YOU HAVE A PROBLEM'
Meanwhile, political party Build One South Africa (BOSA) has expressed dissatisfaction with how the Gauteng government is managing the water crisis in the province.
Rising water consumption and high temperatures have resulted in severe water shortages in parts of the province.
The party secured a single seat in the Gauteng legislature after the elections, where it now serves in the opposition.
BOSA's Ayanda Allie said government should have learned how to handle the water shortages from its experience with the energy crisis.
"An effective solution is to first admit you have a problem. To first admit it is a crisis. It feels like 2008 when we were on the verge of load shedding."