Provincial health department ready for water supply disruption
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is urging residents to use water sparingly amid ongoing water shortages as Rand Water begins its maintenance procedures.
Rand Water began conducting critical maintenance to its key infrastructure on May 29, which could leave some areas with little to no water.
The duration of the maintenance work is planned until June 2, but it might take longer for the water supply to be restored to all areas.
The utility company gave a 21-day notice of the scheduled work to the Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane municipalities.
The maintenance is meant to enhance capacity, visibility, efficiency and reliability.
Rand Water's maintenance work includes its Mapleton and Palmiet systems, which supply water to parts of Tshwane.
In a statement, GDoH said contingency measures have been put in place to mitigate the water shortage across its healthcare facilities.
'In a bid to ensure that public hospitals and clinics in Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg and Tshwane are not severely impacted, the GDoH, in collaboration with municipalities, has activated contingency measures. As part of these measures, most health facilities have Jojo tanks, boreholes and reservoirs that can supply water for a duration of two to four days. The municipalities will assist with dispatching water tankers to the affected health facilities in the three districts. The GDoH will augment this by sourcing additional water supply,' the statement read.
The department apologised for the inconvenience caused and requested that residents use water sparingly during this time.
Some water-saving measures the metro has recommended include:
– Do not water or irrigate gardens with hosepipes or sprinkler systems between 06:00 and 18:00.
– Do not wash vehicles with hosepipes.
– Do not fill swimming pools.
– Use a dual-flush toilet cistern.
– Use a broom instead of a hosepipe when cleaning driveways or patios.
– Collect rainwater to reuse in the garden or wash the car.
– Cover the swimming pool to reduce water evaporation.
– Take a short shower rather than a bath.
– Close a running tap while brushing your teeth or shaving.
– Regularly check toilets and taps for leaks.
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