Due to a supply shortage, Rand Water and Johannesburg Water have asked residents and customers to use water wisely.

The utilities stated in a joint statement released on Sunday that they are observing an increase in water consumption from customer meters that are already connected to the system.

HOW CAN THE JOHANNESBURG CITIZENS ASSIST WITH THE WATER ISSUE?

The utilities cautioned that the system is under stress as a result of the spike.

“Consumers and citizens can assist by reducing their water consumption.

“Rand Water’s primary and secondary 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.

“As a result, reservoir levels remain at their lowest due to high consumption by consumers. Due to the system being integrated, even customers that are using water sparingly are being affected.

“High potable water consumption may result in the collapse of the system, which will result in intermittent water supply,” Rand Water spokesperson, Makenosi Maroo, said.
Maroo said that South Africa is a water-scarce country.

“Consumer behaviour is important in ensuring sustainable and equitable water supply,” she said.

WATER SAVING TIPS

• Customers, including consumers and all citizens, are urged to conserve water by implementing the following water saving tips:

• Avoid watering lawns and gardens with clean drinking water.

• Refrain from filling-up swimming pools until consumption has reduced.

• Do not clean paved areas and driveways with clean drinking water.

• Wash your cars only on weekends using buckets.

• Take a two-minute shower instead of using bathtubs.

• Do not leave your tap running when brushing teeth.

• Fix all leaking plumbing features in your houses.

• Flush toilets only for the brown and not the yellow.

• Report leaking water pipes to the respective local municipalities within the City of Johannesburg.

SOURCE:Johannesburg Water system might collapse (thesouthafrican.com)