Heat and consumption worsen water shortage in Johannesburg
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sowetan
A heatwave and rising consumption have caused water shortages in several Johannesburg neighbourhoods, where some residents have gone days without running water. Joburg Water is deploying about seven tanker trucks to supply affected areas, the Sowetan reports.
Heat and increased consumption have worsened the water shortage in Johannesburg, where residents have been without running water for several days. Joburg Water has urged the public to reduce consumption, the South African newspaper Sowetan reports.
About seven water tankers are supplying several neighbourhoods, including Naturena, Bertrams, Bezuidenhout Valley and Turffontein. In Bertrams, resident Michelle Ackermann said she had been without water for four days and was relying on a borehole at a nearby mosque. In Bezuidenhout Valley, residents said their taps had been dry since Tuesday.
Joburg Water explained that a tree had fallen onto pipes during work in Bezuidenhout Valley, contaminating the supply with wastewater. The network was shut down to allow tests to be carried out. Residents had to ration water from the tankers and prioritise cooking and children’s needs.
The latest interruption in Bezuidenhout follows the water shutdown after a health alert, reported on 22 October. On 21 October, Rand Water warned of the risk of shortages in Gauteng province.
