If you live in Roodepoort and surrounding areas and have been experiencing low pressure water flows coming from your taps, that’s because the City of Joburg has now begun to restrict the flow of water into its pipes, resulting in no service for some residents.
According to the City, high rates of water consumption have led to the municipality having to implement so-called “watershedding” in the area.
This means that residents can expect low to no water coming out of their taps.
“It’s been happening since earlier today,” the City told htxt.africa. “RandWater is implementing water restrictions in the area. We are throttling the system to save water.”
@JHBWater we just heard from our residents association that Water Shedding is taking place in Radiokop from @Rand_Water side please verify?
— Keith Baillie (@BaillieRockstar) October 10, 2016
@ljfjvr Hi, water restrictions are currently being implemented in Roodepoort surroundings. Thank you^N
— Johannesburg Water (@JHBWater) October 10, 2016
Although the official announcement was made today, some residents began reporting low pressure flows during the weekend.
@JHBWater water has stopped. Please investigate. Cnr Christiaan de wet and John Vorster, Radiokop.
— BP Express Radiokop (@BpRadiokop) October 8, 2016
@JHBWater any word on when will water flow in Weltevreden park? Really need a shower, wow loads of water wasted at that pipe! #ironic
— Varshan Mahabel (@I_DontDance) October 8, 2016
Last month, when municipalities in Gauteng were instructed to reduce their water usage by 15% and water restrictions were announced, Joburg Water said should the situation not improve, watershedding will be the next step in the fight to save water.
It is not clear when water will be throttled in the area, how much water residents have been consuming and when the situation will go back to normal, but Joburg Water had said last month that restrictions and the measures implemented can only be lifted once water consumption is effectively reduced.
No other area in Gauteng has yet announced watershedding as a measure, effectively making Roodepoort the first in the province to implement it.
[Main pic – CC Pixeltree]
