Joburg west communities set to be given update of water restoration efforts

Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero and the city’s water utility are set to return to frustrated communities in the west of Johannesburg on Thursday to give an update on water restoration efforts.

This will mark the second visit to the area since residents staged protests last week over rampant interruptions and pelted rocks at police, burnt tyres and blocked roads.

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• Following promise of full restoration of supply, Joburg Water says main systems heavily constrained
• Nearly a week after Morero promised full restoration of supply, Westbury residents still without water
• Westbury residents dismiss Joburg mayor's claims that interventions to restore water is on track

Last week, Joburg Water announced that it would cut water supply in other areas to bring up the water levels in Westbury and surrounding areas.

The entity explained that they were in this situation because their infrastructure is old, they grapple with leaks and there are many communities that are connected illegally.

They placed 21 water tankers in the area while building up water levels in reservoirs.

This is while R800 million will be put by the City of Johannesburg towards the main water system to work on repairs and pipe replacements, which will happen over time.

Residents have threatened protest action should the water woes persist.

D-DAY FOR JOBURG WATER

Thursday is D-day for Johannesburg Water to fully restore access to water for frustrated Westbury residents and surrounding areas.

Last Thursday, Morero promised that a short-term intervention of closing off supply in other areas would increase water levels at the Westbury reservoir.

However, on Wednesday, the utility announced that water levels at theaffected reservoirs remain critically low.

In a bid to quell tensions, Morero engaged the community last week, but some are unconvinced by his plan to address their plight.

Said an unconvinced commnity member:“The R800 million is not good enough when it's only on paper and not in reality. So, Joburg mayor, with all the solutions you’ve presented, are you prepared to resign if you don’t meet your commitments?”

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