Rand Water towers taking strain amid heatwave and high demand

Rand Water water towers in Johannesburg are said to be running empty as the systems are currently under severe strain due to high demand and hot weather conditions. 

COULD IT BE THAT SEVERAL RAND WATER TOWERS ARE EMPTY?

Johannesburg Water’s technical teams will implement various internal strategies to mitigate the situation and boost supply into struggling reservoirs and towers. 

Here is the latest update regarding the water system and towers in Johannesburg: 

HERE IS THE LATEST UPDATES ON THE RAND WATER TOWERS AND SYSTEMS:

WATERVAL SYSTEM: 

Rand Water said the bulk supplier’s Waterval System is under severe strain and is critically low, affecting supply to Johannesburg Water’s Randburg and Roodepoort systems. Although there is some recovery on the Randburg system, several Johannesburg Water towers are still empty due to insufficient flow from the bulk supplier.

“This will result in poor pressure and no water for customers within the supply zones. An alternative water supply is provided for the affected areas.” 

The following towers are affected: 

• Linden 1 Tower: There have been slight improvements from last night when it was empty.
• Waterval Tower: Empty 
• Quelierina Tower: Empty 

COMMANDO SYSTEM: 

Following the slight gains that were achieved on Friday, the Commando system has now taken strain due to high demand and poor pressure. 

The following systems will be affected by poor pressure to no water: 

• Hursthill 1 and 2 Reservoirs 
• Crosby Reservoir 

CENTRAL SYSTEM 

The Central system is also affected by the current strain on the bulk of the supplier’s system. 

• Alexander Park Reservoir: Although the reservoir was empty on Friday, slight improvements have been made. However, it is still low. Poor pressure to no water is expected in the supply zone. 
• Berea Reservoir: improved overnight but remains low. Poor pressure to no water is expected in the supply zone. 

Johannesburg Water is monitoring the following systems, which are supplying normally but on a downward trend: 

• Crown Gardens Reservoir, 
• Eagles Nest Reservoir, 
• South Hills Tower and 
• the Yeoville Reservoir. 

SOWETO SYSTEM: 

The overall system has remained stable. However, the meadowlands reservoir currently supplies 50% of the water, which affects Dube, Meadowlands, Mofolo North and Central, Orlando West, and surrounding areas. 

The Aeroton reservoir is also restricted, affecting the water supply in the Diepkloof extension and surrounding areas. Poor pressure to no water is expected in the supply zones of both reservoirs. 

SANDTON SYSTEM: 

There were some improvements overnight and most systems are supplying normally. However, the systems are constrained due to high demand and hot weather conditions. 

CRITICALLY LOW RESERVOIRS WILL BE THROTTLED OVERNIGHT

Rand Water furthermore said critically low reservoirs will be throttled overnight to build capacity. 

“Johannesburg Water is arranging an alternative water supply for the affected areas, and the entity is monitoring the situation.” Rand Water said.