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Rainfall Doesn’t End Joburg Water Cuts as Treated Supply Remains Limited
Johannesburg residents hoping for relief from water restrictions after heavy rainfall may be disappointed, as the city’s water utility has confirmed it will maintain throttling measures to manage supply. Johannesburg Water says that, although dams have seen a rise in levels, treated water availability remains constrained.
The confirmation comes despite the Department of Water and Sanitation opening multiple sluice gates at the Vaal Dam to ease pressure caused by recent downpours. Since 20 March, five gates have been opened in stages, with the fifth opened on 6 April to ensure dam safety.
Dam levels up, but treated water still limited
According to Johannesburg Water, the increase in raw water doesn’t mean that more treated water is available for municipal use. The entity explained that Rand Water, the city’s bulk water supplier, must operate within specific licensing regulations that determine the allowable supply of treated water.
“These licensed limits remain in effect regardless of dam levels or rainfall, and all municipalities must manage their usage within these allocations,” Johannesburg Water said.
Current consumption remains high, and Johannesburg Water warned that continued overuse places strain on the system, making restrictions necessary to ensure sustainable and fair distribution. Even though there’s raw water available, Rand Water’s ability to meet demand is also restricted by its purification and distribution systems. Infrastructure upgrades are being planned but will only be implemented in the medium to long term.
“While we are looking at improving our systems, these projects will take time. We ask residents to be patient and continue using water responsibly,” the utility added.
Water throttling schedule and areas affected
Water throttling will be implemented from 6pm on Monday until around 5am on Tuesday, depending on logistics. Reductions in water flow can affect both supply to and from reservoirs, meters, or pump stations.
Below is a summary of the restriction schedule and what it means for consumers:
| Throttling Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Start Time | 6:00 PM (Monday) |
| End Time | 5:00 AM (Tuesday) (Subject to change) |
| Affected Infrastructure | Inlets/outlets of reservoirs, meters, pump-fed towers |
| Reduction Range | 50% to 100% depending on the zone and infrastructure |
| Reason for Throttling | High consumption, limited treated water, infrastructure capacity |
| Utility Message to Residents | Use water sparingly to prevent supply cuts and system strain |
Johannesburg Water has urged all residents to act in the interest of the greater community by conserving water, noting that responsible usage is the only way to keep supply consistent while infrastructure upgrades are being prepared.
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Sourced:The Citizen
Picture: Gallo Images / OJ Koloti
