Rand Water confirms implementation of ‘water shifting’

GAUTENG – Rand Water confirmed the implementation of water shifting in a bid to ensure water supply to all areas in Gauteng. The utility believes the system will ensure an “equitable and balanced supply of water to residents”. Minister of Water and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu encouraged water service authorities, including Rand Water, to implement water shifting to ensure no area sits without water for a prolonged period. Gauteng’s three metros have been battling with erratic water supply over the past month due to storm-damaged infrastructure and a sudden rise in temperatures. Taps have been running dry in many areas across Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni over the past two weeks. The department believes the main cause of water interruptions in the three cities is intermittent power cuts that affect the reservoir pump stations to pump more water as well as the low water levels of the water storage.