Water safety warning adds to Johannesburg’s supply woes

Residents in parts of Bezuidenhout Valley have been warned against using tap water following damage to a pipeline, while a separate supply shortage is affecting Bryanston.

Johannesburg Water said the Bezuidenhout Valley restriction would remain until laboratory testing confirmed that the water was safe.

The affected section includes intersections along 8th Avenue between 4th and 7th streets.

Repairs followed damage caused when a tree stump fell onto a water pipe during sewer replacement work.

IOL reported that teams were flushing the pipeline and collecting samples on Thursday. Alternative supplies would continue while the affected network remained isolated.

Separately, Ward 102 councillor Bea Campbell-Cloete said an emergency meeting with Johannesburg Water had produced no firm timetable for stabilising supply to affected communities.

In an update circulated to residents, she said Johannesburg was receiving approximately 1,520 million litres a day from Rand Water, against consumption exceeding 1,800 million litres.

Campbell-Cloete also said Johannesburg Water lacked sufficient tankers to serve all affected areas and that arrangements were being initiated to obtain approval to hire more. Those supply figures and tanker arrangements are attributed to the councillor’s account of the meeting and have not been independently confirmed by The Gazette.

She urged residents to conserve water and postpone activities requiring large volumes. The Bryanston shortages are a separate issue from the possible contamination in Bezuidenhout Valley.

Residents covered by the water safety warning should continue to observe the instruction not to use the water until Johannesburg Water issues clearance.

Sources: TimesLIVE and IOL, 22 October; Ward 102 resident update attributed to councillor Bea Campbell-Cloete.