Rand Water is in Day 2 of the second phase of conducting critical maintenance to its key infrastructure. The bulk water supplier says this maintenance is crucial for ensuring consistent and efficient water supply in the long run.
It has put plans in place to ensure consumers are covered during this period. However, some businesses in Eastcliff, South of Johannesburg, have been left without water, and owners say no tankers have been dispatched to the area.
Business owners say they have had to travel to areas with water and fill buckets to keep their businesses operational.
The Eastcliff Medical Centre is among the businesses affected by Rand Water’s planned maintenance on its pipeline.
Staffers at the centre say the lack of water is negatively impacting their work and the comfort of patients.
“The water is the source of everything in this practice. So, we really need water. So, even if they can send a water truck, it would be really helpful,” says Simphiwe Tshabalala, Admin clerk.
“We have a staff of 40 people, let alone the patients. We work a full day. For us not to be able to use the bathroom is impossible. Our admin staff has been running around to buy water wherever they can get,” says Mandy Cummings, Admin clerk.
“Myself and the other guys have had to go down the road to scavenge water. There is a little pond. It is not safe water, but what can we do. Since yesterday, we have hardly seen any patients,” says Karabo Malapane, Radiologist.
Sara Gouveia runs a coffee shop in Eastcliff. She says mornings are usually the busiest with patrons rushing to get their caffeine fix.
“I had to close the toilets. Most of my customers are a certain age, they need to use the toilet; they need to wash their hands before they eat. They can’t do all those things,” says Gouveia.
The ward councillor in the area says the situation is unbearable.
“It is becoming a humanitarian crisis. So, I would like the rollout of the water tanks to start happening. I have spoken to them telephonically. They said I am on their list. So, hopefully, they do it sooner rather than later,” says Michael Crichton, Ward 59 councillor.
Johannesburg Water has called on ward councilors to reach out to them to request water tankers. It says it will take several days for the system to recover after the planned maintenance and for normal water supply to return.
Video: Rand Water | Update on infrastructure maintenance
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