Water restrictions officially lifted in Gauteng

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has officially lifted the water restrictions in Gauteng.

According to Sputnik Ratau, the DWS spokesperson, the good news was published in the Government Gazette, notice 40682. “The lifting of the water restrictions for urban and irrigation purposes within the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) is effective as of 13 March,” Ratau said.

The decision to lift the water restrictions follows the recent rainfall that flowed into the IVRS, which consists of 14 dams, mainly serving Gauteng. The levels of the IVRS have been increasing on a weekly basis, and at the last reading on 6 March, the dams were 95,9 per cent full.

Ratau said that this decision will affect all the municipalities within the Rand Water supply area. “Smaller towns such as Potchefstroom and Standerton, and third-party users supplied via the Vaal River Eastern Sub-System Augmentation Project and Usutu sub-system will also no longer have restrictions imposed,” Ratau added.

But, what does this news mean for the residents in Roodepoort and surrounding areas?

According to Tidimalo Chuene, the Manager of Marketing and Communications at Johannesburg Water (JW), Level 2 restrictions are still in place for the time being. “We have seen the notice in the Government Gazette but it still needs to be perused by the office of the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Environment and Infrastructure. A formal notice on when the restrictions will be lifted will be sent out from the MMC’s office and JW will then communicate it to the residents. Until this notice is received, the status quo remains, and residents should still adhere to the current restrictions,” Chuene said.

Ratau wanted to remind residents that, although Gauteng has had positive outcomes from the recent rainfall, South Africa is still experiencing a drought, and remains a water-scarce country. “The DWS urges all water users to continue to use water sparingly and inculcate the culture of saving water,” he concluded.

Residents will be updated on the state of the water restrictions as soon as comment is received from JW.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.

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