GALLERY: Water shortage in Little Falls causes uproar

Residents are fed up with the lack of communication from Joburg Water after they were left without water for more than two days.

The areas that were affected include Little Falls and Struben’s Valley.

According to some residents, they were left without water since 12 August and were not informed about the situation.

Joburg Water responded by saying that the water shortage problem in these areas was caused by a municipal water pipe that needed to be accessed on the corner of Hendrik Potgieter and Fredenharry roads.

Spokesperson of Joburg Water (JW) David Sibiya said, “The water pipe was located underneath a private property. The water had to be stopped in order for us to access the pipe,” said Sibiya.

He explained the water pipe had to be dug up to enable JW workers to maintain the pipe to avoid future problems.

A great uproar has been caused by residents from the area.

Some residents stated they were notified yesterday [13August] morning that the water will be switched back on later in the day while others said they were not notified at all.

“We were told yesterday [13 August] morning that the water will be switched back on at 4pm but by 5pm there was still no water,” said an upset Donald Blake, of Wilgeheuwel.

Sibiya said JW did however, send out a notification yesterday [13 August] on their social media pages, website and over the radio.

“Although a time was allocated for the water to be turned back on yesterday [13 August] this time could not be reached as the welding process could not be completed up until all of the water was drained from the pipe,” said Sibiya.

Sibiya said the water should be turned back on today [14 August] anytime soon.