This is according to metro spokesperson, Themba Gabede.
“One component in the plan is the exploration of an early warning system which would be used to indicate dropping water levels in the metro’s storage reservoirs and allow for speedy intervention,” he said.
“This will be achieved through a telemetric type system that will synchronize all reservoirs in Ekurhuleni, making it easy to divert water from one supply zone to another.
“This process will also include the harmonization of the metro’s underground infrastructure, so that municipal potable water supply zones are aligned, to enable to the distribution of potable water from one supply zone to another, where practically possible.
“The metro is working on constructing two additional water reservoirs, in Palm Ridge and Etwatwa Extension 19, which are expected to be completed in the 2016/2017 financial year.”
Gadebe explained that the metro will also pull out all the stops to ensure that more portable storage water reservoirs are built by the year 2021, in anticipation of future supply risk and population growth, due to urbanisation.
Additional reservoirs and waters towers are to be built are in Brakpan, Masetchaba View, Russel Road, Etwatwa, Northmead, Dunottar, Visagie Park and Bredell.
“Furthermore, the construction of the above-mentioned two storage reservoirs, which will add additional water storage capacity soon, is already at an advanced stage of planning,” he said
“Germiston was the hardest hit during the potable water challenges in September 2014 and a dedicated feeder line to the existing Russell Road reservoir will be in place before the end of 2015/2016.
“South Africa is, by its nature, a semi-dessert area and Gauteng was built far from natural dams in the chase for mining prosperity, which calls on everyone in the province, and the Ekurhuleni region in particular, to use water sparingly, curtail the dripping of taps and report any visible leakages.
“The municipality will augment these interventions by intensifying the implementation of the water conservation and water demand management programmes.” – @NalediBoksburg
